tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290272142545826762018-02-14T18:11:06.893-05:00Bird's Yellow HouseRandom Selections from the Life of a Wife and Mother of Two in FloridaBirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.comBlogger581125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-41157807882601414242018-02-07T03:30:00.000-05:002018-02-07T03:30:39.992-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziI7_e4r2eY/WnZf8mHyuqI/AAAAAAAAMhc/7oMFQeeL-uswgTi-Y-CEJMCCADjUD4oNwCLcBGAs/s1600/hibiscus%2B2%2Br%2Bp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziI7_e4r2eY/WnZf8mHyuqI/AAAAAAAAMhc/7oMFQeeL-uswgTi-Y-CEJMCCADjUD4oNwCLcBGAs/s320/hibiscus%2B2%2Br%2Bp.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-32850169271769016112018-02-05T22:38:00.000-05:002018-02-05T22:38:08.792-05:00High Flying History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This past Friday, The Colonel and I saw an old airplane flying over our house. We had not seen this one before. That same day I saw an article in the local paper about said airplane. For a fee of $75 the public could take a ride in the old airplane. The rides would continue through Sunday. Of course, we <i><b>had</b> </i>to have a ride.<br /><br />We called My-Favorite-In-Laws and asked if they would like to join us the next day...but of course!<br /><br />The Colonel and I went to the airport to see about signing up for a ride. There was no signing up. We would have to come back Saturday morning and stand in line to get a ride. The gate would be open at 8:30 a.m.<br /><br />Saturday morning arrived. The Colonel and I awoke earlier than normal for a quick breakfast and some Fox and Friends before we headed over to The Colonel's parent's house. We wanted to leave their house by 8 a.m. so that we could get to the airport, park and get in line by 8:30 a.m. I love my small town...just about everything is ten to fifteen minutes away (unless you have to cross the bridge over the Peace River and/or it is snowbird season).<br /><br />We got in line at 8:30 a.m., paid our $75 each, and signed all essential paperwork. Now it was time to wait. We waited inside the building of the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). This building is the only original building left from the time when the local airport was an<a href="http://birdsyellowhouse.blogspot.com/2017/11/marking-history.html"> Army Airfield during WWII</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FJOp5Fc1G0/WnZx8uKp5KI/AAAAAAAAMhw/Zj2YesACe3AaBNJZM8ytREFqJQn9kOTFACLcBGAs/s1600/bldgr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="900" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FJOp5Fc1G0/WnZx8uKp5KI/AAAAAAAAMhw/Zj2YesACe3AaBNJZM8ytREFqJQn9kOTFACLcBGAs/s320/bldgr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We were finally given tickets and then lead to a small building next to the EAA building for a safety briefing before we were to board the old airplane.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-XJ03joIss/WnZgvA4-mXI/AAAAAAAAMho/LDpCy3LdxpAiWNCfXAnqTGfNux6PZAWXACEwYBhgL/s1600/tickets%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-XJ03joIss/WnZgvA4-mXI/AAAAAAAAMho/LDpCy3LdxpAiWNCfXAnqTGfNux6PZAWXACEwYBhgL/s320/tickets%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKG2HOtZZAM/WnZyUNl78kI/AAAAAAAAMh0/y9X0jzzW6e4ME-4xqMwix16KqzUjjhgBwCLcBGAs/s1600/breifingr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKG2HOtZZAM/WnZyUNl78kI/AAAAAAAAMh0/y9X0jzzW6e4ME-4xqMwix16KqzUjjhgBwCLcBGAs/s320/breifingr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It was now time to board...but before we do, let me tell you about the historical airplane.<br /><br />It is a Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT and it was the first all-metal (corrugated...love it!) multi-engine commercial airliner. The cost to buy this airplane straight from the factory was $55,000. All models of this airplane (199 total) were built from 1926-1933. This particular model was the eighth one built in 1928 and began service on December 1, 1928.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5nULU84JXA/WnZz-3W_YCI/AAAAAAAAMiE/XtNH4D7BSmAkgkKg8bZtGcx6LdI2Y1O5ACLcBGAs/s1600/ford%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="900" height="176" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5nULU84JXA/WnZz-3W_YCI/AAAAAAAAMiE/XtNH4D7BSmAkgkKg8bZtGcx6LdI2Y1O5ACLcBGAs/s320/ford%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrqPzsv5jY4/WnkZCUfpkCI/AAAAAAAAMk0/C5L7sP4w1SA0Jcet3ivDmsPHGouiV0h4QCEwYBhgL/s1600/nose%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrqPzsv5jY4/WnkZCUfpkCI/AAAAAAAAMk0/C5L7sP4w1SA0Jcet3ivDmsPHGouiV0h4QCEwYBhgL/s320/nose%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGzLbrGJk1o/WnkZF2kwnsI/AAAAAAAAMk4/Bk_3yCaEFvw4eBcjTOILrfQsMoAWABnFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/tail%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGzLbrGJk1o/WnkZF2kwnsI/AAAAAAAAMk4/Bk_3yCaEFvw4eBcjTOILrfQsMoAWABnFQCEwYBhgL/s320/tail%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The manufacturing of these models led to the construction of the first airline terminal for passengers and was the first regularly scheduled passenger airliner to operate for Transcontinental Air Transport. Its construction also led to the first hotel , the Dearborn Inn, designed and built for air travelers. The first paved runway was also built because of this airplane.<br /><br />After the Tri-Motor was replaced as a passenger airliner it was used for quite some time to carry heavy-freight to mining operations in jungles and mountains. The Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT was the first aircraft manufactured to mandate crew training for its airline passengers.<br /><br />I had read these facts on the back of my ticket as I waited for the flight...with these new-found facts swimming in my cranium, I was more excited about flying in the Ford Tri-Motor.<br /><br />It was finally time to board...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pc7EO1kzRg/WnZ6OllPVfI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/pq2m2bFyZi0MgJgaO1cqYvddoWqEerg9QCLcBGAs/s1600/boardingr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0pc7EO1kzRg/WnZ6OllPVfI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/pq2m2bFyZi0MgJgaO1cqYvddoWqEerg9QCLcBGAs/s320/boardingr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Every seat was a window seat and there were only ten (plus for a fee of $125 someone could sit in the right seat of the cockpit). The Colonel and his dad took seats towards the front and his mom and I sat in the back. The airplane was beautiful inside. The ten seats were cushioned in green leather. The walls were paneled and the windows were dressed in tasseled, golden curtains.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haCnQeRwdsQ/WnerLhqSDxI/AAAAAAAAMic/gxdZEVEWEl8pUTiZr5y-Ah3PD47e-m9mwCLcBGAs/s1600/inside%2B4%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haCnQeRwdsQ/WnerLhqSDxI/AAAAAAAAMic/gxdZEVEWEl8pUTiZr5y-Ah3PD47e-m9mwCLcBGAs/s320/inside%2B4%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Pilot and Right-Seater were the last ones to board the plane. The Pilot fired up the left engine, the nose engine and finally the right engine (I was sitting on the right side of the plane and a puff of smoke erupted from the right engine upon ignition).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnoZZH4FF2I/Wneyduu5zNI/AAAAAAAAMio/bbNO3JXCW-8e3mvOPf-wHU4QMVFMnoTsQCLcBGAs/s1600/engine%2B3r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DnoZZH4FF2I/Wneyduu5zNI/AAAAAAAAMio/bbNO3JXCW-8e3mvOPf-wHU4QMVFMnoTsQCLcBGAs/s320/engine%2B3r.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When all three engines were rumbling the plane was vibrating too much for me to take any photos. I had to wait until we were airborne. I looked out of my window and watched the wheel lift off of the runway...at 9:30 a.m. we were flying!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMvX-HcRNuQ/Wne1_bV68aI/AAAAAAAAMi0/mFqvqt6GrBIvGHw08pYd17vBmRNspe1zwCLcBGAs/s1600/up%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMvX-HcRNuQ/Wne1_bV68aI/AAAAAAAAMi0/mFqvqt6GrBIvGHw08pYd17vBmRNspe1zwCLcBGAs/s320/up%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We were about 1200 feet in the air as we flew above our town and along the Peace River. They were beautiful from this vantage point. We were amazed again at just how much water surrounds our area.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhwNqaME9Ko/Wne6VFows3I/AAAAAAAAMjA/Gb19DU3ohpEdZqxN5QqgC5wIrYn31haogCLcBGAs/s1600/more%2Bwater%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GhwNqaME9Ko/Wne6VFows3I/AAAAAAAAMjA/Gb19DU3ohpEdZqxN5QqgC5wIrYn31haogCLcBGAs/s320/more%2Bwater%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXLMS_LnwMQ/Wne6fZV4FVI/AAAAAAAAMjE/xVT9Lv1t04wru1ajPV65q1mUxIl3UbK8gCLcBGAs/s1600/houses%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXLMS_LnwMQ/Wne6fZV4FVI/AAAAAAAAMjE/xVT9Lv1t04wru1ajPV65q1mUxIl3UbK8gCLcBGAs/s320/houses%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECK6WDS-kAM/Wne60OFEVPI/AAAAAAAAMjM/5n7Af4HH61kdkYPl-FkaJW1EMekjMhL_wCLcBGAs/s1600/vista%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECK6WDS-kAM/Wne60OFEVPI/AAAAAAAAMjM/5n7Af4HH61kdkYPl-FkaJW1EMekjMhL_wCLcBGAs/s320/vista%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQkDoboqd0Q/Wne6-uENNKI/AAAAAAAAMjU/hYSADHcNZOwjuMgXorDaTpOHnjfL4o70wCLcBGAs/s1600/water%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQkDoboqd0Q/Wne6-uENNKI/AAAAAAAAMjU/hYSADHcNZOwjuMgXorDaTpOHnjfL4o70wCLcBGAs/s320/water%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jyJQDgJ-jU/Wne7TjDdT5I/AAAAAAAAMjc/tqTMQrkagU0Owm3h1ZPKKMEl8nx0q5TMwCLcBGAs/s1600/river%2B2%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jyJQDgJ-jU/Wne7TjDdT5I/AAAAAAAAMjc/tqTMQrkagU0Owm3h1ZPKKMEl8nx0q5TMwCLcBGAs/s320/river%2B2%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl7ovCHnZhI/Wne7fu45NxI/AAAAAAAAMjk/ypZ8DS3B5F4KsFOhdJwDWHJHsjMv-USAACLcBGAs/s1600/river%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl7ovCHnZhI/Wne7fu45NxI/AAAAAAAAMjk/ypZ8DS3B5F4KsFOhdJwDWHJHsjMv-USAACLcBGAs/s320/river%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />My-Favorite-In-Laws were enjoying the flight too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CBd_40qD6A/Wne9J0lkrYI/AAAAAAAAMj0/Mu8K6ueB5-A4G0AradtSIt5ROrSUFgeEACLcBGAs/s1600/jane%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CBd_40qD6A/Wne9J0lkrYI/AAAAAAAAMj0/Mu8K6ueB5-A4G0AradtSIt5ROrSUFgeEACLcBGAs/s320/jane%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pS8b3q92C-A/Wne9VuVNA0I/AAAAAAAAMj4/gTqhSLXEomg4OZUwy8L_rCYkZYDYS9VZwCLcBGAs/s1600/ted%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pS8b3q92C-A/Wne9VuVNA0I/AAAAAAAAMj4/gTqhSLXEomg4OZUwy8L_rCYkZYDYS9VZwCLcBGAs/s320/ted%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I passed the camera up to The Colonel so that he could take some photos from his perspective. He took one of the two in the cockpit and took one of his mom and I.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZLUdQHuL28/Wne-0mPV6XI/AAAAAAAAMkE/N0ubYkWndToxzwpHmVX4YY0eiZqQfqE9QCLcBGAs/s1600/cocpitr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZLUdQHuL28/Wne-0mPV6XI/AAAAAAAAMkE/N0ubYkWndToxzwpHmVX4YY0eiZqQfqE9QCLcBGAs/s320/cocpitr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4KODqt27VE/Wne_QVaVVrI/AAAAAAAAMkI/KcO5Fx2Kv48LTmYAOg2Ksr03lhF5rXgNwCLcBGAs/s1600/rear%2Bpass%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4KODqt27VE/Wne_QVaVVrI/AAAAAAAAMkI/KcO5Fx2Kv48LTmYAOg2Ksr03lhF5rXgNwCLcBGAs/s320/rear%2Bpass%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Our awesome flight lasted for an amazing fifteen minutes. Everyone on board wished it could have lasted longer. The touchdown was as smooth as peanut butter; the tires butterfly-kissed the runway.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD5Aa1zHfUk/WnfBuC4soiI/AAAAAAAAMkY/yA3h58gxyAclBmcnRWFSQjYWZopG0n3nACLcBGAs/s1600/taxi%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD5Aa1zHfUk/WnfBuC4soiI/AAAAAAAAMkY/yA3h58gxyAclBmcnRWFSQjYWZopG0n3nACLcBGAs/s320/taxi%2Br.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The Colonel stayed back inside the plane as everyone else exited. He wanted to take a couple more pictures before the next group of passengers boarded.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmUOcyhScxw/WnfDdwn3okI/AAAAAAAAMkk/yHxfMMppkMYBSqV0lxALUaj926YUVPFTwCLcBGAs/s1600/instruments%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jmUOcyhScxw/WnfDdwn3okI/AAAAAAAAMkk/yHxfMMppkMYBSqV0lxALUaj926YUVPFTwCLcBGAs/s320/instruments%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPP-TKyEmeU/WnfDpsx8QBI/AAAAAAAAMko/WzZ_8rnfWmo-RFzNDiZAoxiQEnSz6ae2ACLcBGAs/s1600/seats%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPP-TKyEmeU/WnfDpsx8QBI/AAAAAAAAMko/WzZ_8rnfWmo-RFzNDiZAoxiQEnSz6ae2ACLcBGAs/s320/seats%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Taking a flight in a rare, 90-year old airplane was certainly a unique experience. The beautiful, "Golden-Age of Aviation" interior was a pleasant surprise but the bigger surprise, upon boarding, was the incline of the seats and aisle due to the fact that the airplane is a tail-dragger. Once the airplane was in the air, the tail came up and there was no more incline.<br /><br />The Old and the New...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IgFdNVw0UM/WnkZw8SbrzI/AAAAAAAAMlY/TuhUC9PFcs0A7KjpfsfBvCXTseLtl5TFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/old%2Band%2Bnew%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="900" height="132" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IgFdNVw0UM/WnkZw8SbrzI/AAAAAAAAMlY/TuhUC9PFcs0A7KjpfsfBvCXTseLtl5TFgCEwYBhgL/s320/old%2Band%2Bnew%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I am glad that air travel is quicker these days but the silhouettes and interiors of current passenger planes have lost much of their charm in the evolution.<br /><br />Every time we heard those three throaty engines above us, we turned our eyes skyward to watch the Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT lumber by and we'd smile because we knew what it was like to "slip the surly bonds of earth" from within her belly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfTzvs6_sCo/WnkZdQRJ8TI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/fC0LEh6MHaAGcGsCVBl66uLsjGoBZM1lACEwYBhgL/s1600/above%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfTzvs6_sCo/WnkZdQRJ8TI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/fC0LEh6MHaAGcGsCVBl66uLsjGoBZM1lACEwYBhgL/s320/above%2Br.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-75873798813258718262018-02-03T20:06:00.000-05:002018-02-03T20:06:57.705-05:00A Much Needed Face LiftA few weeks before Hurricane Irma arrived (September 10, 2017), The Colonel and I noticed that the upper deck of our back porch was in need of repair.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vekrC6tiE0/WnZJEmCZWsI/AAAAAAAAMf4/FpiFh3Qrmu4w4abzvlE2rzpbJwXI9jO3ACLcBGAs/s1600/loose%2Bend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1081" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vekrC6tiE0/WnZJEmCZWsI/AAAAAAAAMf4/FpiFh3Qrmu4w4abzvlE2rzpbJwXI9jO3ACLcBGAs/s320/loose%2Bend.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><br />The Colonel tied the loose pieces of decking down before Irma hit and his quick fix rode out the storm. Hurricane season ended on the last day of November 2017 and we are now in our dry season. So, The Colonel and I decided it was now time to fix the upper deck.<br /><br />We called John, our builder friend. He built Darling-Sister-In-Law's house (which is now Yam's) and my Favorite-In-Law's house. He came out to look over the job and give us a quote. We liked his quote and told him he could start whenever he was ready.<br /><br />On January 22nd, John and Doug (the carpenter) started on the porch fix. In addition to fixing the upper decking we also had John and Doug re-wrap the posts on the entire house (the little cottage porch did not need fixing). The eleven-year-old wood that wrapped the posts was rotting in areas.<br /><br />John and Doug arrived each morning around 7:30 and began the day's work. They stripped off the rotted wood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBye9OuEe44/WnZPgBPf5iI/AAAAAAAAMgE/61XWX4bAnIAbM0bVDBM5BX_Eu_4JPzytgCLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBye9OuEe44/WnZPgBPf5iI/AAAAAAAAMgE/61XWX4bAnIAbM0bVDBM5BX_Eu_4JPzytgCLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiBe_FYiTcQ/WnZPl8WVzkI/AAAAAAAAMgI/yJ2uxJF4XDwuCPB9QBNbj6dIgaEaQ_fzgCLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiBe_FYiTcQ/WnZPl8WVzkI/AAAAAAAAMgI/yJ2uxJF4XDwuCPB9QBNbj6dIgaEaQ_fzgCLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Once the old wood was removed, they replaced it with new material and then began working on the upper decking. Our old decking material was brown and we decided we wanted to go with a gray color this time so that it would more closely match the gray painted on the lower porches. We had met John at The Home Depot before the job started to pick out the new decking.<br /><br />The railing was removed and some of the old decking was pulled up to see how many of the wood stringers would have to be replaced.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TkD_AtMjQ8/WnZTFnTh4gI/AAAAAAAAMgg/vPK7FEZE5QgigoCOoBZx9pmgWc6JamhvgCLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TkD_AtMjQ8/WnZTFnTh4gI/AAAAAAAAMgg/vPK7FEZE5QgigoCOoBZx9pmgWc6JamhvgCLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym_ObqcOO3Q/WnZTMX2HKLI/AAAAAAAAMgk/7gUgulrDMgUHGqP9msuBqot6kWzyDGcHACLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym_ObqcOO3Q/WnZTMX2HKLI/AAAAAAAAMgk/7gUgulrDMgUHGqP9msuBqot6kWzyDGcHACLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />John initially thought that he could just replace the rotten parts, but decided he would completely replace every stringer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OW38bJwl54/WnZT3xf5PeI/AAAAAAAAMgw/cyV9O-wNGOYLL8iHAH2GeS6dTuEOn_TzwCLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OW38bJwl54/WnZT3xf5PeI/AAAAAAAAMgw/cyV9O-wNGOYLL8iHAH2GeS6dTuEOn_TzwCLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Colonel and I helped John and Doug pass down the railing so that they could begin to tear up the old decking and old stringers. The Colonel and I cleaned the railing once it was in the yard.<br /><br />John and Doug worked for four days on the house then took the weekend off. Remember when I said that we are in the dry season? Well, it poured buckets of rain that Sunday night and it was too wet for John and Doug to do any work. They returned the following Tuesday to finish the upper decking.<br /><br />Doug passed the 20-foot pieces of decking up to John...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOX1TY9Nd48/WnZVc8PgSEI/AAAAAAAAMg8/CcN-8GAGEDcOgxUGUCFWR2rdxQv6GXMQACLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOX1TY9Nd48/WnZVc8PgSEI/AAAAAAAAMg8/CcN-8GAGEDcOgxUGUCFWR2rdxQv6GXMQACLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />...then they measured, cut and pieced it all together. They said it was a bit tricky getting the spacing of the boards perfect...but they sure got it perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRrAykHWT8M/WnZWcQsi2kI/AAAAAAAAMhI/vMTa33se24oi4ySdW_n4edmvn1caYp5qACLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRrAykHWT8M/WnZWcQsi2kI/AAAAAAAAMhI/vMTa33se24oi4ySdW_n4edmvn1caYp5qACLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Once the decking was down, it was time to reattach the now spotless railing. John and Doug finished the job on February 4th.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0umz-vqJvM0/WnZW5VjlknI/AAAAAAAAMhM/lhTGr1y4eNAwsRw0W9WF8aZMXtYJACopQCLcBGAs/s1600/porch%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0umz-vqJvM0/WnZW5VjlknI/AAAAAAAAMhM/lhTGr1y4eNAwsRw0W9WF8aZMXtYJACopQCLcBGAs/s320/porch%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that the upper porch is brand-spanking new, I told The Colonel that I would like to have it screened in (actually I had been wanting it screened in for a couple of years...glad we waited). The Colonel said he would like it screened in too and get new furniture for it...bonus! We ordered some Adirondack chairs from Polywood, a company that is in Syracuse, Indiana. Got to give some business to our Hoosier peeps.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, posts and photos to come as the furniture arrives and the screening is complete. But, before we can get the screening done, we have a painter coming to caulk and paint the newly wrapped posts. I am so looking forward to using my upper porch again. I can hardly wait!</div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-8324872504415698642018-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:002018-01-01T00:00:26.530-05:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QW12vCo4Sn4/Wj7uhWgR3gI/AAAAAAAAMfg/V4JTR6H-awAdvJttEmrXecK-pO9HgHW3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/feliz-a%25C3%25B1o-nuevo-en-la-playa-103487714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QW12vCo4Sn4/Wj7uhWgR3gI/AAAAAAAAMfg/V4JTR6H-awAdvJttEmrXecK-pO9HgHW3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/feliz-a%25C3%25B1o-nuevo-en-la-playa-103487714.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-90067669136289955312017-12-31T00:30:00.000-05:002018-01-07T16:51:48.667-05:00Ode to 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgwPtytytgI/Wj7IKTr8ZnI/AAAAAAAAMfQ/jMRBSiX6VCU5V5TO2EsitCrErld5dSOjQCLcBGAs/s1600/Printable-Calendar-2017-Wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgwPtytytgI/Wj7IKTr8ZnI/AAAAAAAAMfQ/jMRBSiX6VCU5V5TO2EsitCrErld5dSOjQCLcBGAs/s320/Printable-Calendar-2017-Wallpaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><u><br /></u></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Ode to 2017</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Posts this year were slim within my blog,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life got in the way and of my time was a hog (or maybe I was just lazy,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">who knows, it's all kind of&nbsp; hazy).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wished to share more, with pictures to boot,</div><div style="text-align: center;">To lament this now is a point that is moot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did share some things and some things were missed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The following lines name just a partial list.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I told some of my tale with the aid of <i>Story Corps,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">A calendar girl and parade member, in colonial garb I wore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had lunch with George and Martha Washington,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Visited real and imagined Calusa villages, what fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sawfish DNA for science The Colonel and I did share,</div><div style="text-align: center;">A visit to the Bell Witch's cave gave us a little scare.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A trip to Charleston, discovering&nbsp;<i>real </i>pimento cheese, so filling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">With DAR friends I learned the old art of Quilling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Funding and writing local markers historical,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Braving historical Hurricane Irma without becoming hysterical.<br /><br />A family trip with a purpose to Key West,<br />To bury Darling-Sister-In-Law, she was the best.<br /><br />My hopes for my writing in 2018 are to be more prolific,<br />And my wish to all is that the New Year be happy, healthy and terrific!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-68630808631969977142017-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:002017-12-25T00:00:29.102-05:00Merry Christmas One and All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjvGT3PcI9Q/WjVeV20KLqI/AAAAAAAAMfA/CWFilz8cSLUFVBiAGNIRjcw5I-TdmECvgCLcBGAs/s1600/mailbox%2Bxmas.jpg%2Bp%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjvGT3PcI9Q/WjVeV20KLqI/AAAAAAAAMfA/CWFilz8cSLUFVBiAGNIRjcw5I-TdmECvgCLcBGAs/s320/mailbox%2Bxmas.jpg%2Bp%2Br.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-59697226970791521652017-12-20T03:00:00.000-05:002017-12-20T03:00:11.058-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9uH7qZ4bwM/WjE_sgwfWAI/AAAAAAAAMdA/0olXXMHZTUYVHr4kx2ESRRxQQkI9uffeACEwYBhgL/s1600/mermaid%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="900" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d9uH7qZ4bwM/WjE_sgwfWAI/AAAAAAAAMdA/0olXXMHZTUYVHr4kx2ESRRxQQkI9uffeACEwYBhgL/s320/mermaid%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-26410011410325113182017-12-13T18:26:00.000-05:002017-12-13T20:05:43.684-05:00Ask and Ye Shall ReceiveRoughly three years ago, Yam stated the desire to have a cat and as luck would have it, a young, black one had shown up in our backyard a few weeks prior to her proclamation. The Colonel called him Henry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WohuzvZCZK8/WjFUFcc4hhI/AAAAAAAAMdk/tchSuemWmiw-x9shcQ1h9DfYstzjVmSpQCLcBGAs/s1600/skinny%2Bh%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="900" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WohuzvZCZK8/WjFUFcc4hhI/AAAAAAAAMdk/tchSuemWmiw-x9shcQ1h9DfYstzjVmSpQCLcBGAs/s320/skinny%2Bh%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Henry looked very similar to Shadow; a cat that had been hanging around our yard a while before Henry's arrival. We all agreed that Henry was probably the offspring of&nbsp; Shadow. Their facial structures were very similar and their personalities were also very similar...sweet and loving.<br /><br />Yam would come over after work to spend time with Henry. She eventually made a vet appointment for him to have him looked over, neutered, chipped and vaccinated. All went well and she was able to take Henry home. He is still a sweet and loving cat. Being a house cat agrees with him. He has filled out and has become a very handsome boy. When you pet Henry his fur feels like a mink coat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvgXiNhMGZk/WjG4R-1PilI/AAAAAAAAMd8/j7ujIXbE9qUbQghEkYxOSYXVvLRcE3N7wCLcBGAs/s1600/best%2BHenry%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvgXiNhMGZk/WjG4R-1PilI/AAAAAAAAMd8/j7ujIXbE9qUbQghEkYxOSYXVvLRcE3N7wCLcBGAs/s320/best%2BHenry%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br />A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, a young, gray cat showed up in our backyard. He was sitting in the grass just looking at The Colonel and I. The Colonel went to get some cat food (he always has some on hand). He opened the can and put the cat food on a paper plate. He set the plate a few feet from the back porch steps and called for the cat. The cat ran to the plate and gobbled up the food. The Colonel opened up another can which the cat too gobbled up.<br /><br />We called the cat to us and to our surprise he came without fear and let us pet him. He loved the caresses and ear-scratches. He came to visit us everyday. He liked to be near us. When The Colonel was rebuilding a porch swing for a friend, the cat was under his feet.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDn856DtiL0/WjG8R7Wvo3I/AAAAAAAAMeM/X717XzTvMhc5QFJ-HkE4Y7qLzBE1_O8hgCLcBGAs/s1600/new%2BJ%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDn856DtiL0/WjG8R7Wvo3I/AAAAAAAAMeM/X717XzTvMhc5QFJ-HkE4Y7qLzBE1_O8hgCLcBGAs/s320/new%2BJ%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br />Yam was not aware of the new cat at our house but one day while we talked to her she said that she was entertaining the idea of getting another cat. We told her about the new cat. Yam came over to see him. She liked him and he liked her. She decided then that she wanted to "adopt" this cat.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsqFTQAN8iM/WjG8l0fsvrI/AAAAAAAAMeQ/viuH1bm9sug0FrixsIgiGLzFEdyODmgxQCLcBGAs/s1600/James%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsqFTQAN8iM/WjG8l0fsvrI/AAAAAAAAMeQ/viuH1bm9sug0FrixsIgiGLzFEdyODmgxQCLcBGAs/s320/James%2Brszd.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />Yam asked if we could bring him into our house so that nothing would happen to him while she made a vet appointment for him. We said of course. He fit right into the house cat role. He picked the most comfortable seat in the living room, my Lazy Boy recliner. He slept in our bed (especially on my side. He could not be far from me at any time, day or night).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_Z_PTNrSk/WjG-Xs5SSMI/AAAAAAAAMec/Qle64iV-zl0tT0HbgelzyJVRCise_0BigCLcBGAs/s1600/sleepy%2Bjames%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="900" height="219" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq_Z_PTNrSk/WjG-Xs5SSMI/AAAAAAAAMec/Qle64iV-zl0tT0HbgelzyJVRCise_0BigCLcBGAs/s320/sleepy%2Bjames%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yam decided on the name James for her new cat. Since her other cat was named Henry, she wanted to continue the kingly names. She researched the names...Henry means "Ruler of the house" and James means "Supplanter, one who follows or overthrows". How were they going to get along when the time came to introduce them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yam was able to make a vet appointment for James on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. She had to work, so The Colonel and I took James to the vet early that morning. All of James' blood work was good, so they were able to neuter, chip and vaccinate him. We picked him up around 2 p.m. and brought him back to our house.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day was Thanksgiving. Spud came into town from Jacksonville. Yam and my in-laws came from in-town. We had a lovely lunch with all the fixins. James did not mind the full house. Everyone loved James and James loved everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it finally came time for Yam and my in-laws to head back into town, Spud went to stay with Yam. He was going to help her with the task of introducing the "boys" to one another over the long, holiday weekend. I missed having James around me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spud stayed in the guest room with James. Yam and Spud slowly introduced the boys to one another, as did The Colonel and I the next day when we went for a visit. James was eager to meet Henry and would chatter to him from the other side of the door. The Colonel and Spud went to The Home Depot to get a piece of wire shelving. Yam used it to make a barrier between the boys; they could see one another but not get to one another. There was very little hissing or growling form either cat. Finally the shelving was removed and the boys were able to get near one another (if they wanted to). Yam reported no major fights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Colonel and I visited Yam and the boys last week. The boys were getting along nicely. Henry licked and head-butted James and James did not flinch. Yam texted the following photo to us the other day. It is entitled "Nap time"...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fB7Se_I3hMw/WjHJrhU29XI/AAAAAAAAMes/B1RE2QVUDYUd3L0wELcB98Y4p4FfNFxLgCLcBGAs/s1600/naptime%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fB7Se_I3hMw/WjHJrhU29XI/AAAAAAAAMes/B1RE2QVUDYUd3L0wELcB98Y4p4FfNFxLgCLcBGAs/s320/naptime%2Brszd.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looks like the boys are getting along nicely (despite their kingly names).</div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-34440626877544675642017-11-29T05:00:00.000-05:002017-11-29T05:00:48.789-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5twDbqQFKA/Why_Z9vbyoI/AAAAAAAAMcw/q-frC1cNWyc8s815H5zXqImM-0zpSuYGQCLcBGAs/s1600/rock%2Bnest%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5twDbqQFKA/Why_Z9vbyoI/AAAAAAAAMcw/q-frC1cNWyc8s815H5zXqImM-0zpSuYGQCLcBGAs/s320/rock%2Bnest%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-38744266749527564032017-11-08T22:54:00.001-05:002017-11-08T23:21:56.555-05:00Marking History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJOyR-Mu_4A/WgN9vNEyC3I/AAAAAAAAMa0/h22wAP5npOkRURwP-LeI63u93mihMn57QCLcBGAs/s1600/open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJOyR-Mu_4A/WgN9vNEyC3I/AAAAAAAAMa0/h22wAP5npOkRURwP-LeI63u93mihMn57QCLcBGAs/s320/open.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br />I have been waiting for 28 months...finally, today, "my" historical marker was unveiled and dedicated.<br /><br />Back in early 2015, The Colonel (who chairs the Historical Advisory Committee (HAC) for the county) told me of a new historical marker that was being proposed. It would mark the WWII military history of our local airport.<br /><br />The Colonel said the HAC was looking for a sponsor for the marker. The marker would cost $2,200.<br /><br />At the time, I was a trustee for my deceased father's foundation. As a trustee, one of my duties was to make grants to non-profit organizations. I chose to have the foundation sponsor the marker.<br /><br />Now that a sponsor was found and the marker paid for, The Colonel informed me that the verbiage for the marker had to be written. He handed me a thick stack of paper and each piece of paper was filled with military facts about the airport's historical past.<br /><br />"Will you write the verbiage for the airport marker?"<br /><br />"Sure. I have never done this before. What does it entail?"<br /><br />"Read through all of these pages and distill the information to no more than 1,235 characters".<br /><br />"Okaaaaayyyy".<br /><br />With my "marching orders" in hand, I began to read through the stack and to distill the facts.<br /><br />I worked on the verbiage for a couple of days. The Colonel liked what I wrote. He took it to the next meeting of the HAC board for its approval. They accepted it and signed off on it in May of 2015.<br /><br />Next step...my writing to be cast in metal for an historical marker at the airport.<br /><br />The marker was ordered and delivered to the county. It was slated to be dedicated in July of 2015 (four months was the usual time span for approval to dedication of a marker).<br /><br />28 months later...November 2017...The dedication of "my" marker...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bykVIgEjLlA/WgO9VlDwPKI/AAAAAAAAMcM/nVf1B0jHiQY6uCQouPWfvIoMc-zfkKwWACLcBGAs/s1600/program.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bykVIgEjLlA/WgO9VlDwPKI/AAAAAAAAMcM/nVf1B0jHiQY6uCQouPWfvIoMc-zfkKwWACLcBGAs/s320/program.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Yam designed the dedication program)</i></div><br />It was a beautiful morning at the airport and a nice crowd showed up for the dedication. My Favorite-In-Laws were there too.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DomisrjdHx8/WgO3jQSMXrI/AAAAAAAAMbE/4-IUDx-ez5cXd2DaU-CuQFwJEhs0MvDoQCLcBGAs/s1600/airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="900" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DomisrjdHx8/WgO3jQSMXrI/AAAAAAAAMbE/4-IUDx-ez5cXd2DaU-CuQFwJEhs0MvDoQCLcBGAs/s320/airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcDSu9ORFUE/WgO3msnkFsI/AAAAAAAAMbI/4fHPGOsVJqQMV0x6BZPJ7hFWW9CM5WG9ACLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcDSu9ORFUE/WgO3msnkFsI/AAAAAAAAMbI/4fHPGOsVJqQMV0x6BZPJ7hFWW9CM5WG9ACLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The high school NJROTC Color Guard posted the colors, the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then we watched as two old "Warbirds" perform a fly-over before the dedication began.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ2-KciZ8gk/WgO4y279MqI/AAAAAAAAMbU/zAPFKl5z8YANy2_CBfiANKTc_r_Vu-mcwCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZ2-KciZ8gk/WgO4y279MqI/AAAAAAAAMbU/zAPFKl5z8YANy2_CBfiANKTc_r_Vu-mcwCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmQHkZABMiU/WgO4zOU96UI/AAAAAAAAMbY/ISuPDpR3oC8snB635RI3brnTJhoSgrXSgCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="900" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmQHkZABMiU/WgO4zOU96UI/AAAAAAAAMbY/ISuPDpR3oC8snB635RI3brnTJhoSgrXSgCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Colonel gave the welcome and introduction at the podium.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFMHIB4lteI/WgO5Uq3b_xI/AAAAAAAAMbg/0nOsW8U5SQ0cQJYoLTh4i-iN8a_vALDzACLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFMHIB4lteI/WgO5Uq3b_xI/AAAAAAAAMbg/0nOsW8U5SQ0cQJYoLTh4i-iN8a_vALDzACLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />He was followed by Commissioner Deutsch who spoke about the Historical Marker Program, Mr. Andrews of the Airport Authority who spoke about the roles of the airport, Dr. Carlson a history professor at Florida Gulf Coast University who spoke of the historical significance of the airport and finally Mr. Scott, Director of Community Services (Yam's big boss) who gave the closing comments before the unveiling of the marker.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVOIHx3y27o/WgO7ATuFt6I/AAAAAAAAMbs/OF5b_8UaCAkfhY6e4DbMutKxs2BXovrHgCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="900" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVOIHx3y27o/WgO7ATuFt6I/AAAAAAAAMbs/OF5b_8UaCAkfhY6e4DbMutKxs2BXovrHgCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fw_4qSCxp2U/WgO7Hyucj7I/AAAAAAAAMb4/USxXYAVlVqcRpuuaDNPqK1LNEVgVDwrRgCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fw_4qSCxp2U/WgO7Hyucj7I/AAAAAAAAMb4/USxXYAVlVqcRpuuaDNPqK1LNEVgVDwrRgCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GF6rkQpw930/WgO7DLHan0I/AAAAAAAAMbw/zCdoNUQBaNYWzHK7kA0zdKOJJh6JtudzQCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="900" height="217" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GF6rkQpw930/WgO7DLHan0I/AAAAAAAAMbw/zCdoNUQBaNYWzHK7kA0zdKOJJh6JtudzQCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2syj7P7X7JI/WgO7DloJbTI/AAAAAAAAMb0/E5JjHiqR43coY7G9zaGItJdItaNfoKnrwCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2syj7P7X7JI/WgO7DloJbTI/AAAAAAAAMb0/E5JjHiqR43coY7G9zaGItJdItaNfoKnrwCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqYA1Ewucyg/WgO7T7OJ0dI/AAAAAAAAMb8/UF4uMlpoahY_Q1sPENV20Y9KfOtv7xOSgCLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="900" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqYA1Ewucyg/WgO7T7OJ0dI/AAAAAAAAMb8/UF4uMlpoahY_Q1sPENV20Y9KfOtv7xOSgCLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2xu-m0Y1fU/WgO7UGq2O1I/AAAAAAAAMcA/idQnwa0MTgkbQwSSBgbxkdPKydyUBDf7wCEwYBhgL/s1600/airport%2B16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="900" height="232" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2xu-m0Y1fU/WgO7UGq2O1I/AAAAAAAAMcA/idQnwa0MTgkbQwSSBgbxkdPKydyUBDf7wCEwYBhgL/s320/airport%2B16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Usually the sponsor of a marker is listed in the program and is mentioned during the dedication. I was not listed in the program but the Commissioner did introduce me and have me stand up. His introduction was odd though. He sits on the HAC with The Colonel, so they know and like one another, and his introduction went something like this:<br /><br />"I want to thank The Colonel's wife, Bird, Bird please stand up. Thank you for being behind this marker and behind The Colonel. Thank you for allowing him to get out of the house and do the things he does for the county".<br /><br />Odd and a bit awkward. His words made it sound like I am an iron-handed wife and controls when The Colonel can leave the house. Again, odd and a bit awkward.<br /><br />The Colonel and I are both glad that "my" marker is finally dedicated.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdS9B_y5U0s/WgPE1FEdctI/AAAAAAAAMcc/cMvqm7sn2uoXYI8Lcef-zITrc3_M6hLjACLcBGAs/s1600/airport%2B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="900" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdS9B_y5U0s/WgPE1FEdctI/AAAAAAAAMcc/cMvqm7sn2uoXYI8Lcef-zITrc3_M6hLjACLcBGAs/s320/airport%2B17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;It has been a long time in coming. Some of the reasons for the 28-month delay are chalked up to Airport Authority issues and county employee issues.<br /><br />I have written four more historical markers for the county. One about the railroad town of <i>McCall</i>, which no longer exists and one about the <i>Hickory Bluff Mound</i>, an ancient Indian mound along the water that no longer exists (The Colonel and I gifted money towards this marker and my DAR chapter is the sponsor) and one for the <i>Hickory Bluff Cemetery, </i>a pioneer cemetery of African Americans and the <i>Lt. Carl A. Bailey Cemetery, </i>an African American cemetery that is still used today.<br /><br />I have no idea as to when these two markers (<i>McCall</i>&nbsp;and <i>Hickory Bluff Mound)</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;will be dedicated. The park where the <i>Hickory Bluff Mound</i> marker is to be placed was damaged by Hurricane Irma in September. The marker cannot be placed until the damage has been repaired.<br /><br />The Colonel and I always stop to read historical markers when we see them. We like to learn the history of the places. It makes us happy to know that we contribute to the historical markers in our county by funding and writing them. It makes us happy too to know that others will stop by these markers and learn about our local history and that these markers will still be here once The Colonel and I are history.<br /><br />Below is the verbiage I wrote for the airport marker (notice the year on the marker):<br /><br /><br /><div align="center" class="Pa0" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="A0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Punta Gorda Army Airfield </span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="Pa0" style="text-align: center;"><span class="A0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b>World War II </b></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="Pa0" style="text-align: center;"><span class="A0"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">In May 1942, the Army Air Corps chose this site for the Punta Gorda Army Airfield (PGAAF). Construction began that October at a projected cost of $700,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><br /></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Army Air Corps activated PGAAF on December 11, 1943 with a mission to train pilots for overseas duty. The first student pilots arrived in February 1944. Average class size was 30 students per squadron. This included the 490th Fighter Squadron and the 502nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron. Over 750 student pilots completed 15 weeks of training at the base. There were six training-related deaths. Pilots flew the Curtis P-40 Warhawk and the North American P-51 Mustang.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><br /></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Army Air Corps assigned 44 officers and 1,097 enlisted men as permanent staff. The base had 61 service buildings including hangars, repair shops, chapel, theater, mess hall, and classrooms. Personnel lived in 268 “hutments” consisting of wooden lower halves and canvas tops.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><br /></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">PGAAF contributed to the victory in World War II and was deactivated on September 1, 1945, one day before the surrender of Japan<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Today the Punta Gorda Airport serves our community through both private and commercial aviation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Pa1"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, 2015</span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-48302462703289571022017-11-02T03:30:00.000-04:002017-11-02T16:36:02.376-04:00Halloween and History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7BWN4oafTQ/Wfov5cTnMHI/AAAAAAAAMZo/rlFMVSHin28NvZXW7O0RxRw9hBluYnEoACLcBGAs/s1600/open%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="638" height="163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7BWN4oafTQ/Wfov5cTnMHI/AAAAAAAAMZo/rlFMVSHin28NvZXW7O0RxRw9hBluYnEoACLcBGAs/s320/open%2Bshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Once again, Halloween has come and gone.<br /><br />Throngs of people (costumed or not), with or without costumed kiddies in tow (or in strollers), shuffled along the streets of the historic section of our town and begged candy from people in decorated houses along the way.<br /><br />Once again, The Colonel, Yam and I (costumed) joined the throngs.<br /><br />On Halloween night, when I was a child, I would be too excited to want to eat supper. I just wanted to put on my costume and pound the pavement for candy. Mom said we could not Trick-or-Treat until we ate and until it was dark enough (usually around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m.).<br /><br />This Halloween evening found me excited (mainly agitated) around supper time again. The Colonel and I had worked all day at the museum (10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.). We had made plans with Yam to have supper at her house (she got home from work around 4:45 p.m.), put on our costumes, walk next door to show our costumes to The Colonel's parents and have a couple of pictures taken before walking downtown. We wanted to be downtown around 6:30 p.m. so that there was still some light to be able to see the costumes and decorations.<br /><br />Best laid plans...this is where the agitation came in...Before we left the museum, I called (on the museum's phone) an order for pizza to be delivered to Yam's house around 5:00 p.m. I told the girl on the other end of the line what address I wanted the pizza to be delivered (Yam's house of course). The girl said, "Oh, I will have to change the address of delivery because it is showing the address of the museum because you used its phone to make the call." I said okay, completed the order and hung up.<br /><br />The Colonel and I closed the museum and headed to Yam's house. Yam let us in and we chatted while awaiting the 5:00 p.m. arrival of our pizza. No pizza delivery man showed up. The girl did say they would try to get the pizza there as close to 5:00 p.m. as possible. So, we waited some more.<br /><br />As each minute ticked by I felt I was channeling my younger self; I wanted to hurry to get supper done so that I could get dressed and hit the streets. We gave the pizza delivery man a bit more time, thinking it was Halloween after all and maybe many others were ordering pizza for supper too.<br /><br />Finally (5:20 p.m.) with my agitation meter fully pegged, I called the pizza place (trying to keep a civil tone).<br /><br />"I ordered a pizza for a 5:00 p.m. delivery and it has not arrived yet." (Notice no exclamation point?)<br /><br />"Oh, he has been to the house, knocked on the door and even has called the house but no one is answering."<br /><br />"That is because you sent him to the wrong place. I told you it would be a different address from the phone number's." (Please God, do not let me loose it...I do not want the pizza man to spit on my pizza if it ever arrives).<br /><br />I hear the girl on the phone talking to one of her associates. They figure it out. They call the pizza delivery man and he is at the door very shortly thereafter. He was full of apologies. I know it was not his fault.<br /><br />The pizza is still warm and it is delicious.<br /><br />I do not like when businesses only go by the phone number you call them on. They never listen to you. They only notice the phone number and what address is associated with it. Another case in point.<br /><br />When Darling-Sister-In-Law passed away The Colonel called her television company (which happened to be the same one we use) to tell them that she had died and that he wanted her cable stopped. He had supplied them with her name, address and customer account number. Because he called from our home phone they disconnected our service instead. They never listened to what The Colonel said, just went by the phone number. We had quite a run around with the cable company as we tried to straighten them out. We got our service back, but they think we are new customers (we have been with this company for several years).<br /><br />Back to pizza...<br /><br />We ate our pizza (saving some to take over to my In-Laws when we went over later) and then began to put on our costumes.<br /><br />Yam's costume was "practically perfect in every way". She dressed as Mary Poppins. She had virtually gotten everything from Goodwill.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QD-j9xvq81s/WfpFtBAHT2I/AAAAAAAAMZ4/yfu1JToZy6QLTkhLo3tbxneDhaXzEoxTQCLcBGAs/s1600/mary%2Bp%2Bpicasd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QD-j9xvq81s/WfpFtBAHT2I/AAAAAAAAMZ4/yfu1JToZy6QLTkhLo3tbxneDhaXzEoxTQCLcBGAs/s320/mary%2Bp%2Bpicasd%2Brszd.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMg_GgYlt6Q/WfpFuWkA72I/AAAAAAAAMZ8/UsbdVJIqvTssTRGnRJqhmxYSQsYgeIGmgCLcBGAs/s1600/anne%2Bas%2Bmary%2Bp%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMg_GgYlt6Q/WfpFuWkA72I/AAAAAAAAMZ8/UsbdVJIqvTssTRGnRJqhmxYSQsYgeIGmgCLcBGAs/s320/anne%2Bas%2Bmary%2Bp%2Brszd.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The Colonel's costume was equally perfect. He had been purchasing items on line a few months prior to Halloween. He went as a Templar Knight.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvC9YUWob4/WfpG0WIRfzI/AAAAAAAAMaI/mYhkXQfp5k8m6f8qq1Hz8xjqdvb3E63NQCLcBGAs/s1600/Knight%2B1%2Bp%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvC9YUWob4/WfpG0WIRfzI/AAAAAAAAMaI/mYhkXQfp5k8m6f8qq1Hz8xjqdvb3E63NQCLcBGAs/s320/Knight%2B1%2Bp%2Br.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Because I am in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), I have some some colonial costumes. I decided to go as Betsy Ross. I even made a representation of the colonial flag (I used Stitch Witch...sorry Betsy) and carried it with me in a basket.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRfcVFpQ9-U/WfpLRD_leaI/AAAAAAAAMaU/8h4TvIvwGTIfEJ0HMYA7vIOvhI6Pxne2gCLcBGAs/s1600/Betsy%2BRoss%2Br%2Bp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRfcVFpQ9-U/WfpLRD_leaI/AAAAAAAAMaU/8h4TvIvwGTIfEJ0HMYA7vIOvhI6Pxne2gCLcBGAs/s320/Betsy%2BRoss%2Br%2Bp.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />We were all dressed up and definitely had someplace to go. We walked across the street, with pizza box in hand and rang my In-Laws' doorbell.<br /><br />"Trick-or-Treat", I chimed.<br /><br />They loved our costumes as we eagerly showed them off (once again, channeling my inner child) and had our pictures taken.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97EUFhXqgFM/WfpXXctKhXI/AAAAAAAAMak/vhXdhC5BdMA-gWTxjKT076eY0q5kv3m3wCLcBGAs/s1600/Mary%2BKnight%2BBetsy%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="900" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97EUFhXqgFM/WfpXXctKhXI/AAAAAAAAMak/vhXdhC5BdMA-gWTxjKT076eY0q5kv3m3wCLcBGAs/s320/Mary%2BKnight%2BBetsy%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We took our leave and walked towards town, a mere two blocks away. It was around 6:30 p.m. and still light out. The Colonel said his vision was slightly impacted by his metal helmet's eye slits but he navigated the sidewalks and streets very well the entire evening as it grew darker.<br /><br />As we walked around several people waved, called out to Mary Poppins or sang "A Spoonful of Sugar Makes the Medicine Go Down" as they passed by. Many people called out to the Knight saying, "It's only a flesh wound" or "What game are you from?" There were a few that knew he was a Templar Knight and not someone from a Monty Python movie or a video game. Several people snapped pictures of the Knight and Mary Poppins. I heard a couple of people say, "That was Betsy Ross" as they passed by. One man (an aged hippy) came up to us, gave us candy and strummed his chimes so I asked him who he thought I was. His vacant stare then prompted me to point out what was in my basket. Still a vacant stare.<br /><br />"It's red, white and blue", I said.<br /><br />"Oh, it's a flag?"<br /><br />"Yes, and there are 13 stars on it..."<br /><br />"Um, the colonial flag...oh, you're um Betsy Ross."<br /><br />Finally, like pulling teeth. To be fair...he was an aged hippy and had probably partaken of much weed for the majority of his life and maybe even that evening. The long term effects just are not known. So much for legalizing recreational marijuana. Just say no!<br /><br />Mary Poppins, the Knight and I decided we did not want to eat his candy.<br /><br />A family of four came up to me and the mom asked her youngest girl who I was supposed to be. She knew I was someone from history and that I sewed the first American flag but she could not remember my name. Her older sister finally told her I was Betsy Ross. Another woman came up to us and wanted to take our picture with her kids. It was their first year Trick-or-Treating downtown. We obliged. She knew I was a historical figure named Betty Ross...close, I would cut her some slack. I was expecting more people (young and old) to know who I was portraying....maybe it is symptomatic of the lack of American History taught in our schools today or dare I say, maybe my costume wasn't as thought provoking as I thought it would be.<br /><br />We stayed on a street corner and just people-watched for a while. It was fun to see the kids and adults in their costumes. A few people stopped and snapped pictures of Mary Poppins, the Knight or all three of us. The Colonel and Yam's costumes were a hit. I may have harbored a tiny bit of jealousy with the attention the were paid, but I was more proud of the great costume ideas and their perfect execution of them.<br /><br />We finally called it a night around 8:30 p.m. and walked back to Yam's house. We de-costumed and had a little apple cider. The Colonel and I did not stay long, as Yam had to work the next day.<br /><br />I have a whole year to come up with another costume for next year. I may forego any historical figures though.Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-34827024432036312712017-11-01T03:30:00.000-04:002017-11-01T03:30:01.125-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sM2U69ekxc/WfPVxcLq33I/AAAAAAAAMZY/6_4UoWtcWYgxpe-sz9j5Djc8nNQZQ1hIwCLcBGAs/s1600/green%2Bbutterfly%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="900" height="261" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sM2U69ekxc/WfPVxcLq33I/AAAAAAAAMZY/6_4UoWtcWYgxpe-sz9j5Djc8nNQZQ1hIwCLcBGAs/s320/green%2Bbutterfly%2Brszd%2Bpcsd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-33252865706790793202017-10-22T16:06:00.000-04:002017-10-22T16:06:03.277-04:00Cooking Craze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1VSP9B1GO0/Wezp6RKv73I/AAAAAAAAMYE/lPF0Ktz84ogwn1yuRbPqo6fa39UnfxtCACLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="900" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1VSP9B1GO0/Wezp6RKv73I/AAAAAAAAMYE/lPF0Ktz84ogwn1yuRbPqo6fa39UnfxtCACLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The newest craze in cooking uses a new machine...the Instant Pot (an electric pressure cooker). The Colonel has been wanting to get one. He has seen many tasty looking recipes on line that use an Instant Pot and the other day he "pulled the trigger" and ordered one. After the Instant Pot arrived I bought an Instant Pot cookbook and we decided to make the Spanish Arroz con Pollo recipe within its pages.<br /><br />As The Colonel cut up the onion, sweet red pepper and garlic, I lightly browned the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. I removed the chicken and then cooked the vegetables.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGCGzR6RPyY/Wez0UaJPHCI/AAAAAAAAMYY/YR9sIxfxYu44KBUy1rN7jEjnAAGOTz5dACLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGCGzR6RPyY/Wez0UaJPHCI/AAAAAAAAMYY/YR9sIxfxYu44KBUy1rN7jEjnAAGOTz5dACLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo_CGruEKGM/Wez0M1Nz6hI/AAAAAAAAMYU/JesnLPHk-agG0hdDlhbuGXI8YSfR_Ky2wCLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo_CGruEKGM/Wez0M1Nz6hI/AAAAAAAAMYU/JesnLPHk-agG0hdDlhbuGXI8YSfR_Ky2wCLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When the vegetables were tender I returned the chicken to the pot and added the rest of the ingredients: tomatoes, paprika, oregano, crushed red pepper, white wine, water, rice and saffron.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njHebfyICA8/Wez1VzyOCOI/AAAAAAAAMYk/OjJZOxIageMToMVk0L4stn64kMqT0a9hQCEwYBhgL/s1600/pot%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njHebfyICA8/Wez1VzyOCOI/AAAAAAAAMYk/OjJZOxIageMToMVk0L4stn64kMqT0a9hQCEwYBhgL/s320/pot%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46NtcBU1z9M/Wez1V4zxJMI/AAAAAAAAMYo/WpqrslhBrgAJ5PhA7hg_p7jmEWW0fPMIQCLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-46NtcBU1z9M/Wez1V4zxJMI/AAAAAAAAMYo/WpqrslhBrgAJ5PhA7hg_p7jmEWW0fPMIQCLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The Instant Pot pressure cooked everything in 15 minutes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzxQcTb_8dw/Wez2vB3iaGI/AAAAAAAAMY4/EB__XiMAUIseVgXukuQcOIXvOJKezdNggCLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="900" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzxQcTb_8dw/Wez2vB3iaGI/AAAAAAAAMY4/EB__XiMAUIseVgXukuQcOIXvOJKezdNggCLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The recipe called for the use of a natural release to depressurize which took about 40 minutes. When it was time to open the pot this is what the Spanish Arroz con Pollo looked like once I added the peas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe5hS3hQxhs/Wez2cTxdDHI/AAAAAAAAMY0/tz0MsH4JbFsBls8U-8Fol68h2BJIq8sgACLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fe5hS3hQxhs/Wez2cTxdDHI/AAAAAAAAMY0/tz0MsH4JbFsBls8U-8Fol68h2BJIq8sgACLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is what the finished recipe looked like in the cookbook....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIYJe9-kfHk/Wez3PyPaNQI/AAAAAAAAMZA/L_LopMuE_4EKm0blp5s7NumOfe-ZZYQfQCLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="900" height="264" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIYJe9-kfHk/Wez3PyPaNQI/AAAAAAAAMZA/L_LopMuE_4EKm0blp5s7NumOfe-ZZYQfQCLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is what ours looked like when plated up....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkMD9aoETLQ/Wez3i0eF6sI/AAAAAAAAMZE/QarfDU3SAB8YJMPTReavTqWBjPjvYbDuACLcBGAs/s1600/pot%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkMD9aoETLQ/Wez3i0eF6sI/AAAAAAAAMZE/QarfDU3SAB8YJMPTReavTqWBjPjvYbDuACLcBGAs/s320/pot%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />They <i>never </i>look like the pictures in the cookbooks!<br /><br />The Spanish Arroz con Pollo was good but I had expected it to have more flavor. The chicken was fork-tender though. The Colonel and I are looking forward to trying more recipes with the Instant Pot.Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-39672494803635291052017-10-11T03:30:00.000-04:002017-10-11T03:30:00.184-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RpVyBvtg48/WdprhWM5_jI/AAAAAAAAMXk/GaGTB_iMyNsKPIV8SNE_Fft1a_aYnbI2ACLcBGAs/s1600/nymph%2Bpcssd%2Brzd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RpVyBvtg48/WdprhWM5_jI/AAAAAAAAMXk/GaGTB_iMyNsKPIV8SNE_Fft1a_aYnbI2ACLcBGAs/s320/nymph%2Bpcssd%2Brzd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-61119527079604105042017-09-14T20:18:00.000-04:002017-09-14T20:18:06.156-04:00Making Hurricane Irma's Acquaintance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BgxkhIgORdM/WbrfQt-HVDI/AAAAAAAAMUk/Tl6veqQbYQst4fKXV4tN36YFZrvgmTMHgCLcBGAs/s1600/irma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BgxkhIgORdM/WbrfQt-HVDI/AAAAAAAAMUk/Tl6veqQbYQst4fKXV4tN36YFZrvgmTMHgCLcBGAs/s320/irma.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Image from Internet)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The strongest recorded hurricane on the <i>entire </i>planet...the first time that nearly the entire&nbsp;state of Florida was effected by a hurricane (due to its size...roughly 400 miles wide or three to four times as wide as the Florida Peninsula)...Irma sure did make my 56th birthday memorable. Irma jinked west then north instead of hugging Florida's east coast as everyone thought it would at first.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to Irma I couldn't even celebrate my birthday <i>on</i> my birthday (Sept. 9th). A couple of days prior to my birthday, The Colonel and I had been prepping our home, as well as the homes of Yam and my In-Laws for the arrival of the hurricane. We cleaned furniture and plants off of porches. We lengthened downspouts and sandbagged them in place.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImniCQDsYQs/WbrsQIXRxoI/AAAAAAAAMVk/pBK8bUm-qtQ-JjqIw89hmSKlCaflcn9rACLcBGAs/s1600/porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImniCQDsYQs/WbrsQIXRxoI/AAAAAAAAMVk/pBK8bUm-qtQ-JjqIw89hmSKlCaflcn9rACLcBGAs/s320/porch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PiQRP4tSAk/WbrsTGsu6QI/AAAAAAAAMVs/EFruEBcaEoMuFsa3icfecRmDS72Q808cgCLcBGAs/s1600/porch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--PiQRP4tSAk/WbrsTGsu6QI/AAAAAAAAMVs/EFruEBcaEoMuFsa3icfecRmDS72Q808cgCLcBGAs/s320/porch2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZvQLdJJHAY/WbrsgY129lI/AAAAAAAAMVw/Ic8505WNA9wLJn46JQSoItYQAZKeEbwogCLcBGAs/s1600/downspouts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZvQLdJJHAY/WbrsgY129lI/AAAAAAAAMVw/Ic8505WNA9wLJn46JQSoItYQAZKeEbwogCLcBGAs/s320/downspouts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We put my car into the garage as well as some of the plants and furniture.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7WBoEb642g/Wbrs1Hd6dDI/AAAAAAAAMV0/mTUfYFIT1qgJA9rf040msq9VLNQVwz68ACLcBGAs/s1600/garage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7WBoEb642g/Wbrs1Hd6dDI/AAAAAAAAMV0/mTUfYFIT1qgJA9rf040msq9VLNQVwz68ACLcBGAs/s320/garage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Colonel and I then began filling containers with water at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SF0U5uCHi2Q/Wbrqhyh3V7I/AAAAAAAAMU4/IwLKpn2LK4A9Hcy0fJ61ZFgmLellNqzMQCLcBGAs/s1600/water2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SF0U5uCHi2Q/Wbrqhyh3V7I/AAAAAAAAMU4/IwLKpn2LK4A9Hcy0fJ61ZFgmLellNqzMQCLcBGAs/s320/water2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quug6ig3pBo/Wbrq00YCH_I/AAAAAAAAMVQ/OORB49CRTw8w6Yp8GZs9-Vd8oM7qoToVQCLcBGAs/s1600/prep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-quug6ig3pBo/Wbrq00YCH_I/AAAAAAAAMVQ/OORB49CRTw8w6Yp8GZs9-Vd8oM7qoToVQCLcBGAs/s320/prep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Many people run to the stores and fight the panicking crowds to buy water. The beauty of a hurricane (ha) is that you have days to prepare for it and/or flee from it...so, you do not have to buy your water just fill containers (and your bathtub) while you await the storm. We just kept filling containers....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5t9d0BZUDk/WbrrtBh37fI/AAAAAAAAMVc/O-wTf6oIYhoCu9XNN9SX-iYp97lRZPoTgCLcBGAs/s1600/even%2Bmore%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y5t9d0BZUDk/WbrrtBh37fI/AAAAAAAAMVc/O-wTf6oIYhoCu9XNN9SX-iYp97lRZPoTgCLcBGAs/s320/even%2Bmore%2Bwater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRwH1rsdOjA/Wbrrv_WfVrI/AAAAAAAAMVg/HbiQM7tWtZ47EaiTEM6g890tG91L-PsVACLcBGAs/s1600/more%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lRwH1rsdOjA/Wbrrv_WfVrI/AAAAAAAAMVg/HbiQM7tWtZ47EaiTEM6g890tG91L-PsVACLcBGAs/s320/more%2Bwater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The day before my birthday (Yam had half a day off from work to prep for the hurricane), The Colonel, Yam (Spud sent a card and gift from Jacksonville) and I went over to my In-Laws so that I could open presents and cards. I got everything on my wish list plus a few surprises. I had wanted to go to a certain pizza parlor in town for my "birthday" lunch but it was closed and boarded up but another pizza joint in town was still open so we went there. After lunch and a visit, we parted ways to finish last minute hurricane preparations. That mid afternoon Yam texted saying in town was given a recommended evacuation order. We told her and The Colonel's parents to hold tight until the next morning to see if the evacuation order changed. It did. At nearly 8 a.m. a mandatory evacuation order was given in town.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yam and her cat Henry arrived at our house around 9:45 a.m. The Colonel and Yam went to collect my In-Laws an hour later. We were all too busy to remember it was my birthday (thank goodness we celebrated it the day before). At 9:15 p.m. the rain started but it was not heavy. There was light to medium rain all through the night with limited wind gusts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The yard was beginning to fill with water.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPVFwgjdjWQ/WbsEtEVKJXI/AAAAAAAAMWE/C9Hw-VmykckLJ8Lymm_G5Nt6XjMly-sNACLcBGAs/s1600/front%2Byard%2Ba%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hPVFwgjdjWQ/WbsEtEVKJXI/AAAAAAAAMWE/C9Hw-VmykckLJ8Lymm_G5Nt6XjMly-sNACLcBGAs/s320/front%2Byard%2Ba%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb1u8E9Y2Yc/WbsEvuFzAsI/AAAAAAAAMWI/3Oo_SVzBc0Mb3hl03dVjBBpV1JJDAKb5QCLcBGAs/s1600/front%2Byard%2Bb%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb1u8E9Y2Yc/WbsEvuFzAsI/AAAAAAAAMWI/3Oo_SVzBc0Mb3hl03dVjBBpV1JJDAKb5QCLcBGAs/s320/front%2Byard%2Bb%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biWl-5ApRSc/WbsE_2XuZQI/AAAAAAAAMWM/wNFw1pBJ2MUyXzi4rADBdFKIhKaJ_VUPgCLcBGAs/s1600/front%2Byard%2Bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-biWl-5ApRSc/WbsE_2XuZQI/AAAAAAAAMWM/wNFw1pBJ2MUyXzi4rADBdFKIhKaJ_VUPgCLcBGAs/s320/front%2Byard%2Bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Sunday, September 10th (the height of hurricane season), stronger rain was coming and a big gust of wind occurred around 11 a.m. Shortly after the gust we saw that one of our banana trees had broken and fallen over.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Throughout the day the wind and rains increased. Our power flickered at 5:05 p.m. and the Internet as well as the television were bumped off. The power would flicker off and on most of the day as well as losing Internet and television. With the threat of loss of power, we microwaved items in the freezer for meals, in hopes of not having any waste. We only had two items left when the power finally went out for good at 8:07 p.m.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hurricane Irma was roughly 35 miles southeast from us before the power went out. We figure the eye of the hurricane was about 13 miles east of our house around 9 p.m. With no power (read that as no more television), the In-Laws turned in early. Yam, The Colonel and I stayed up a until we heard the wind gusts and rain lessen around 10:30 p.m. I forgot to tell you that water was seeping in through our side door and the dryer vent throughout the raging storm. I used several towels to block off and soak up the invasive water. When the towels became sopping wet I replaced them and wrung the wet ones (by flashlight). Oh my poor arthritic hands and wrists. The Colonel helped too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rain and wind dropped off by 6 a.m. the next morning. We were still without power, but The Colonel cooked eggs and hash on our kitchen's gas stove. He had boiled water for our coffee too. It was an impressive breakfast considering the lack of normalcy we were experiencing.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the light of day we could see how much water was now in our yard. We had gotten a lot of rain dumped on us.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TxDU6mvIaA/WbsPcD9CCRI/AAAAAAAAMWc/p35TZNtUJdIILZzWshaLqmvUn1ZTIXLxACLcBGAs/s1600/above%2Bbackyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5TxDU6mvIaA/WbsPcD9CCRI/AAAAAAAAMWc/p35TZNtUJdIILZzWshaLqmvUn1ZTIXLxACLcBGAs/s320/above%2Bbackyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQPUlhC9fh4/WbsPgCCgYHI/AAAAAAAAMWg/DcTS5wordgkwTT2LuXbtNx8WekdFCSKSwCLcBGAs/s1600/front%2Byard%2Bb%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQPUlhC9fh4/WbsPgCCgYHI/AAAAAAAAMWg/DcTS5wordgkwTT2LuXbtNx8WekdFCSKSwCLcBGAs/s320/front%2Byard%2Bb%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i>&nbsp;The brown strip you see near the top of the photos is the road in front of our house,it is under water.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crdiO7R4yBE/WbsPiRnMAMI/AAAAAAAAMWk/08xCEoR-jE4f9RwNDMPcR_qbv-5zw6LYACLcBGAs/s1600/front%2Byard%2Bmiddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crdiO7R4yBE/WbsPiRnMAMI/AAAAAAAAMWk/08xCEoR-jE4f9RwNDMPcR_qbv-5zw6LYACLcBGAs/s320/front%2Byard%2Bmiddle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN-vPhNzcgs/WbsPqYYiPQI/AAAAAAAAMWo/O7K-gad3ZpYj3y78-cAW1fKoA7gJVSAiACLcBGAs/s1600/side%2Byard%2Bfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN-vPhNzcgs/WbsPqYYiPQI/AAAAAAAAMWo/O7K-gad3ZpYj3y78-cAW1fKoA7gJVSAiACLcBGAs/s320/side%2Byard%2Bfull.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FI6uXHbLT_0/WbsPqtraI2I/AAAAAAAAMWs/xzyzBigAGAMHn1pFTDdxHWeb9b5TzpqbgCLcBGAs/s1600/side%2Byard%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FI6uXHbLT_0/WbsPqtraI2I/AAAAAAAAMWs/xzyzBigAGAMHn1pFTDdxHWeb9b5TzpqbgCLcBGAs/s320/side%2Byard%2Bwater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbr5VdALBes/WbsPt-LdikI/AAAAAAAAMWw/fOHoNB0TIuUaNnqtpDs2jfXzApkbJctzwCLcBGAs/s1600/cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kbr5VdALBes/WbsPt-LdikI/AAAAAAAAMWw/fOHoNB0TIuUaNnqtpDs2jfXzApkbJctzwCLcBGAs/s320/cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njv_KECFJoQ/WbsPvJ3wpQI/AAAAAAAAMW0/9WLUAkg5Hwcdu0MLUdZCO_gLw4x86QhZgCLcBGAs/s1600/driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njv_KECFJoQ/WbsPvJ3wpQI/AAAAAAAAMW0/9WLUAkg5Hwcdu0MLUdZCO_gLw4x86QhZgCLcBGAs/s320/driveway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-taF87cCH-ic/WbsPx-Z0utI/AAAAAAAAMW4/B8xmzIrx438SAn_A3xFxuH_-6TN2NLQNwCLcBGAs/s1600/back%2Byard%2Bfrom%2Bporch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-taF87cCH-ic/WbsPx-Z0utI/AAAAAAAAMW4/B8xmzIrx438SAn_A3xFxuH_-6TN2NLQNwCLcBGAs/s320/back%2Byard%2Bfrom%2Bporch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the sun came out the water began to recede. We had our yard back within a couple of days (it is still very soggy but at least we can see grass again). I could almost hear the water receding as I hung up my very damp towels. The Colonel strung up a temporary clothesline for me on the porch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W31lbVWBMoc/WbsSR-Yvs8I/AAAAAAAAMXI/sO0_McsOtXYgtaMQey0yNktb9vA5SV_CQCEwYBhgL/s1600/towels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W31lbVWBMoc/WbsSR-Yvs8I/AAAAAAAAMXI/sO0_McsOtXYgtaMQey0yNktb9vA5SV_CQCEwYBhgL/s320/towels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hurricane Irma was a Category 2 (96-110 mph winds) when it was in our area. It had grown weaker and faster when it finally reached us. We also were on the west side of the hurricane which is the less powerful side. We were very fortunate. Our power came back on the day after the storm passed at 11:12 a.m. There are a few in town who still have no power as I write this. Yam and the In-Laws' power came on around the same time ours did and we took them back to their homes at 12:20 p.m. Everyone was ready to get back to their homes and routines.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Colonel and I waited to go to the grocery until yesterday (three days post hurricane. We had canned foods still but wanted fresh meat and veggies). Some of the shelves were sparse but we saw many stock boys working. There are still lines at gas stations but each day they become less congested. Now comes the part of debris cleanup. We do not have much yard debris at our house. Yam and the In-Laws' yards were full of downed limbs and palm fronds. It appeared that in town got more wind and outside of town, where we live, got more rain.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I do not wish to have another birthday experience like this one any time soon or better yet, ever again...but when your birthday falls around the height of hurricane season and you live in Southwest Florida... &nbsp;</div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-30243811411126256052017-08-30T04:00:00.000-04:002017-08-30T04:00:15.338-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw6VWO4fEP0/WaDFDs_X6eI/AAAAAAAAMUU/Y4b8QYHaWcE2M-t2aHuwPXJdR39VlD1XwCLcBGAs/s1600/koi%2Bww%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="900" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw6VWO4fEP0/WaDFDs_X6eI/AAAAAAAAMUU/Y4b8QYHaWcE2M-t2aHuwPXJdR39VlD1XwCLcBGAs/s320/koi%2Bww%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-67946402989568080652017-08-25T20:33:00.000-04:002017-08-25T20:33:27.574-04:00Quilling: The Art of Paper Filigree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYBXkoFuXcE/WaCNaDE-zQI/AAAAAAAAMSI/ioMfWSPJalcvi0OpjVFPV4DfIr50UgWNwCLcBGAs/s1600/open%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="900" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYBXkoFuXcE/WaCNaDE-zQI/AAAAAAAAMSI/ioMfWSPJalcvi0OpjVFPV4DfIr50UgWNwCLcBGAs/s320/open%2Bshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Quilling is the art of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper (1/8" thick) and arranging them to form designs. It is thought to date back to the 15th century. At that time the paper was rolled on bird quills; thus, the name quilling.<br /><br />Quilling was first used by the Italian and French nuns in creating exquisite designs to decorate religious artifacts and the walls of churches. As the art form spread to new parts of the world, it was fashionable for the ladies of the 17th and 18th centuries to create beautiful and delicate edgings on folding screens, firescreens, mirrors, boxes and pieces of furniture, with quillwork.<br /><br />The hatpin eventually replaced the quill and today there are quilling tools available.<br /><br />Yesterday, one of the ladies in my DAR chapter held a quilling class in her home. Carol had all of the supplies laid out before us on her dinning room table. There were ten of us taking the class.<br /><br />First, Carol had us learn and make the basic quilling shapes. Once we made them, we glued them to a card that gave the name for each shape. It would be our guide to making future projects.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKVQZhWZM2E/WaCwpoI711I/AAAAAAAAMSY/IkK3pat6N2YKJN7CtWR8NlANhOj3EmLkgCLcBGAs/s1600/basic%2Bpattern%2Bshapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKVQZhWZM2E/WaCwpoI711I/AAAAAAAAMSY/IkK3pat6N2YKJN7CtWR8NlANhOj3EmLkgCLcBGAs/s320/basic%2Bpattern%2Bshapes.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />We used a quilling tool during class. It is a small, metal wand that has one slotted end. The end of the paper strip goes into the slot and then you roll the paper onto the wand's slotted end. The amount of tension that you roll the paper with determines what kind of end product you want...more tension equals a tighter roll.<br /><br />Once we had all of our practice rolls and scrolls completed it was time to start on a picture. Carol had a pattern of two flowers for us to work with. She had drawn the flowers on paper and then put that paper over a small Styrofoam block and then covered it all with wax paper. The wax paper would help to keep the quilled paper from sticking to the pattern on the block.<br /><br />Carol had many pretty colors of paper strips to choose from. I chose purple and red. I measured, rolled and glued my quillwork together on the block. I used straight pins to hold the quillwork together. Once it dried, I gently pulled the pretty flowers off of the block and glued them to a piece of card stock. This is what my first attempt at quilling looks like.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4Do9OXK52Q/WaC0uqNKIwI/AAAAAAAAMSk/9e0MD48SgEE4pIz1Ly7Xta-CpRtH6kYiQCLcBGAs/s1600/quilling%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4Do9OXK52Q/WaC0uqNKIwI/AAAAAAAAMSk/9e0MD48SgEE4pIz1Ly7Xta-CpRtH6kYiQCLcBGAs/s320/quilling%2B1.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zFLONLVNL4/WaC1XSLA4mI/AAAAAAAAMSw/aY-amvgyB7IJoY2B21TNWvjqod0UbEgawCLcBGAs/s1600/quilling%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zFLONLVNL4/WaC1XSLA4mI/AAAAAAAAMSw/aY-amvgyB7IJoY2B21TNWvjqod0UbEgawCLcBGAs/s320/quilling%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>&nbsp;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dczYq7FBufI/WaC1Xfe8jWI/AAAAAAAAMSs/b5xrU9o7vDI7cWZQMkREWMrL-rhDXSQ9gCLcBGAs/s1600/quilling%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dczYq7FBufI/WaC1Xfe8jWI/AAAAAAAAMSs/b5xrU9o7vDI7cWZQMkREWMrL-rhDXSQ9gCLcBGAs/s320/quilling%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When I came home, I felt that my artwork still needed something to finish it. I had some empty space that needed filling just above the flowers.<br /><br />In the little kit that Carol sent home with us was a pattern and some paper strips for making a bee...perfect!<br /><br />(Now bear with me...it is hard to snap a picture one-handed and quill one-handed at the same time).<br /><br />I traced the bee onto the paper, put the paper onto the foam block and covered it with wax paper.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J5FaefZjy6k/WaC297GEgxI/AAAAAAAAMTA/2ei6LoLAuRwy7I4JgXZF1vStsH9JApz2wCLcBGAs/s1600/bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J5FaefZjy6k/WaC297GEgxI/AAAAAAAAMTA/2ei6LoLAuRwy7I4JgXZF1vStsH9JApz2wCLcBGAs/s320/bee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I read the instructions, measured and cut the strips (4" or 6") and began rolling. Once rolled, I glued the end piece of the paper roll. I then pinned the bee's head onto the foam block.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QfKKrxGncM/WaC3Zmw19nI/AAAAAAAAMTE/RkEIGJeFHvU6PNgJGP8eZcSuRA9igpwqgCLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QfKKrxGncM/WaC3Zmw19nI/AAAAAAAAMTE/RkEIGJeFHvU6PNgJGP8eZcSuRA9igpwqgCLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewp2OeNmkNw/WaC3a1DNa8I/AAAAAAAAMTI/WVANXRicA7sj1fZ9ZuXeqwkmDfuZMz_JQCLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="900" height="279" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewp2OeNmkNw/WaC3a1DNa8I/AAAAAAAAMTI/WVANXRicA7sj1fZ9ZuXeqwkmDfuZMz_JQCLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etnB28K4EPE/WaC3c9HF5jI/AAAAAAAAMTM/eOIETyk597oy0l5Ux9MjLq-jPEiFkk-dQCLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etnB28K4EPE/WaC3c9HF5jI/AAAAAAAAMTM/eOIETyk597oy0l5Ux9MjLq-jPEiFkk-dQCLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Next came the body of the bee. That would be a loose roll that would be pinched to create a teardrop shape. I glued the body to the head and kept it in place with a pin.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4lc4Q8iJak/WaC88HIIB4I/AAAAAAAAMTg/2lGWews2JkACnvqN_IctJI06qfSh3oFkQCLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="900" height="306" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4lc4Q8iJak/WaC88HIIB4I/AAAAAAAAMTg/2lGWews2JkACnvqN_IctJI06qfSh3oFkQCLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEic-kPDwUw/WaC88K2D5WI/AAAAAAAAMTc/OIW_TylPpPI_Ft-J28OYbkgbEIztfVepwCEwYBhgL/s1600/bee%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEic-kPDwUw/WaC88K2D5WI/AAAAAAAAMTc/OIW_TylPpPI_Ft-J28OYbkgbEIztfVepwCEwYBhgL/s320/bee%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Finally, the wings. They were made just like the body but with gold colored paper.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwvR_ssYLz4/WaC9iQIKxyI/AAAAAAAAMTw/wzkYkqyhCisA3rzBFCHlN0UAQIYgTV63ACLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uwvR_ssYLz4/WaC9iQIKxyI/AAAAAAAAMTw/wzkYkqyhCisA3rzBFCHlN0UAQIYgTV63ACLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-HrYm7b-Dw/WaC9i-uc1QI/AAAAAAAAMT0/nXidzABYqG4rfMWpxKMP7gx3QY3m6c1nQCLcBGAs/s1600/bee%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="900" height="170" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s-HrYm7b-Dw/WaC9i-uc1QI/AAAAAAAAMT0/nXidzABYqG4rfMWpxKMP7gx3QY3m6c1nQCLcBGAs/s320/bee%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYeIskOqthY/WaC9jZx29HI/AAAAAAAAMT8/JNiBewXL1Qc2iof6J43eNq56Wd3dKc8awCEwYBhgL/s1600/bee%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYeIskOqthY/WaC9jZx29HI/AAAAAAAAMT8/JNiBewXL1Qc2iof6J43eNq56Wd3dKc8awCEwYBhgL/s320/bee%2B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZXWmZ56zSo/WaC9iAySlvI/AAAAAAAAMT8/aLh9lFGL2r8bMBS9KnrffTY0v_mh_TiXQCEwYBhgL/s1600/bee%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="900" height="249" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TZXWmZ56zSo/WaC9iAySlvI/AAAAAAAAMT8/aLh9lFGL2r8bMBS9KnrffTY0v_mh_TiXQCEwYBhgL/s320/bee%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u2irOjpNtw/WaC9iWWrM7I/AAAAAAAAMT8/GY0aRC3nfMUuNhHc599KN90MbYijqrXzwCEwYBhgL/s1600/bee%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_u2irOjpNtw/WaC9iWWrM7I/AAAAAAAAMT8/GY0aRC3nfMUuNhHc599KN90MbYijqrXzwCEwYBhgL/s320/bee%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When the glued bee pieces dried, I gently lifted them off of the wax paper and glued the finished bee to my quilled flower picture. Not bad for a first attempt at quilling.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8o_QQLl2xM/WaC_ZSeRzYI/AAAAAAAAMUE/kHssE-J9E54iISUyGsY75aY3HmaA9It7gCLcBGAs/s1600/done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8o_QQLl2xM/WaC_ZSeRzYI/AAAAAAAAMUE/kHssE-J9E54iISUyGsY75aY3HmaA9It7gCLcBGAs/s320/done.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thank You Carol!</div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-74982232768234897692017-08-09T03:30:00.000-04:002017-08-09T03:30:27.261-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAovzWq8i-o/WYjwNarBqxI/AAAAAAAAMRg/m4kKt4LB7mM9ZYP8xHkGrawEC9B43590gCLcBGAs/s1600/profile%2Bpcasd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAovzWq8i-o/WYjwNarBqxI/AAAAAAAAMRg/m4kKt4LB7mM9ZYP8xHkGrawEC9B43590gCLcBGAs/s320/profile%2Bpcasd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-59239321149388201212017-08-07T18:39:00.000-04:002017-08-07T18:39:55.360-04:00Beaufort (BEW-Fort), SC Not To Be Confused With Beaufort (BOH-Fort), NC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCi3fbgGpP8/WYDC5XWmIQI/AAAAAAAAMNQ/3LvcUZE40BYAUny96t8q77cbtLwHDuCRwCLcBGAs/s1600/open%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCi3fbgGpP8/WYDC5XWmIQI/AAAAAAAAMNQ/3LvcUZE40BYAUny96t8q77cbtLwHDuCRwCLcBGAs/s320/open%2Bshot.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />Day one of our Charleston, South Carolina trip (July 6-14, 2017) had us on the road heading north around 3 p.m. We had a late start because we had to help the county's historical center with a summer program for school kids. But when we finished with that we officially started our trip.<br /><br />We stopped by Spud's apartment for a short visit (about an hour) and chatted with Spud and his girlfriend. We also dropped of some furniture that Spud wanted from home. Too bad we could not have stayed longer but we had to get to our hotel in Kingsland, Georgia.<br /><br />We woke early the next morning and headed north again, as we had to make it to Beaufort, South Carolina in time to join the walking tour we signed up for earlier.<br /><br />When we arrived in Beaufort we found the place we were to meet our tour guide. We waited under a shady tree for our guide to arrive. We did not have to wait long and as it turned out we were going to have a private tour. A woman was supposed to join us but she never showed up.<br /><br />Our guide was a named Victoria. She was a college girl (we were expecting an old man because of the website). She was happy to have us along and was pleased that we could keep up with her (guess she is used to old farts who cannot keep up the pace during the two-hour tour).<br /><br />Before the walking part of the tour began, Victoria gave us a brief history of Beaufort, South Carolina. It was chartered in 1711. It is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, second to Charleston. It is noted for its scenic location, maintaining its historic character by the preservation of its antebellum buildings and the military installations nearby.<br /><br />Beaufort's scenic location was the backdrop for several movies such as: The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, Forrest Gump, Something to Talk About and G.I. Jane. The bridge in Beaufort was used in Forrest Gump and was supposed to be a bridge that goes over the Mississippi River.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mOvNp-Z4Q/WYEZCVzHM9I/AAAAAAAAMQI/cMWNBSuRyjwmTCISkmtTgHiPRxMjoH8lgCLcBGAs/s1600/bridge%2Bover%2Bmississippi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mOvNp-Z4Q/WYEZCVzHM9I/AAAAAAAAMQI/cMWNBSuRyjwmTCISkmtTgHiPRxMjoH8lgCLcBGAs/s320/bridge%2Bover%2Bmississippi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqcCJLnUIqk/WYEZEzK7XmI/AAAAAAAAMQM/y8lgiUuM74sBYMaxrVKbYTyCj4FANU3vQCLcBGAs/s1600/gump%2Bbridge%2Bbest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqcCJLnUIqk/WYEZEzK7XmI/AAAAAAAAMQM/y8lgiUuM74sBYMaxrVKbYTyCj4FANU3vQCLcBGAs/s320/gump%2Bbridge%2Bbest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Could this be Forrest Gump's shrimp boat?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWy3umN1WJg/WYDMGvnhFDI/AAAAAAAAMNs/N-5G36_xjq4Y2zisOxRz-seHuIJbQC_WQCLcBGAs/s1600/gump%2Bshrimp%2Bboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWy3umN1WJg/WYDMGvnhFDI/AAAAAAAAMNs/N-5G36_xjq4Y2zisOxRz-seHuIJbQC_WQCLcBGAs/s320/gump%2Bshrimp%2Bboat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There are still many antebellum buildings in Beaufort. Our guide told us the reason for this is something called the "Great Skedaddle".<br /><br />On November 7, 1861, the Union Army occupied Beaufort. Two days prior, the wealthy citizens were in church and learned of the large Yankee fleet that was off Point Royal Sound and a mere 10 miles away. It was time to pack up and leave. They left in such a hurry that dinner plates, full of food were still on the tables. They packed whatever valuables they could...money, jewelry, the family Bible...but they did not take their slaves (8-10 thousand were left behind). The Yankees did find one white man in Beaufort but he was dead drunk.<br /><br />The Union Army used the antebellum houses in Beaufort as offices, quarters and hospitals.<br /><br />This house belonged to Robert Barnwell Rhett. He is called the "Father of Secession". He held secessionist meetings in this house roughly a dozen years prior to South Carolina's secession.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLbI5VOdkZI/WYDWJn6U7uI/AAAAAAAAMOA/ctRFh3WXv0oqaUcIbu2D1tqLXtZjpqXtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rhett%2BHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="900" height="287" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLbI5VOdkZI/WYDWJn6U7uI/AAAAAAAAMOA/ctRFh3WXv0oqaUcIbu2D1tqLXtZjpqXtQCLcBGAs/s320/Rhett%2BHouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here are a few pictures of some of the other antebellum houses in Beaufort.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1XWJ3IgWU0/WYDXD3qcXWI/AAAAAAAAMOM/s_5YfISLkPggA_UCUsHYCq6loSmFOcvDQCLcBGAs/s1600/another%2Bbrick%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="900" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1XWJ3IgWU0/WYDXD3qcXWI/AAAAAAAAMOM/s_5YfISLkPggA_UCUsHYCq6loSmFOcvDQCLcBGAs/s320/another%2Bbrick%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLyejJMOQEw/WYDXF8ngQSI/AAAAAAAAMOQ/QbYynTEq3a4t7H4QyhULf0UEiBFtIQiVQCLcBGAs/s1600/Beaufort%2BSC%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLyejJMOQEw/WYDXF8ngQSI/AAAAAAAAMOQ/QbYynTEq3a4t7H4QyhULf0UEiBFtIQiVQCLcBGAs/s320/Beaufort%2BSC%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7DrKtPDJIQ/WYDXIol24nI/AAAAAAAAMOU/7Kyru3a8Aqg_QeS__WDRGuB91mZam7L3QCLcBGAs/s1600/Beaufort%2BSC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="900" height="258" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7DrKtPDJIQ/WYDXIol24nI/AAAAAAAAMOU/7Kyru3a8Aqg_QeS__WDRGuB91mZam7L3QCLcBGAs/s320/Beaufort%2BSC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXSwq2TMlgA/WYDXI3Zt3hI/AAAAAAAAMOY/sChIT5yfljQgC2HLYtt6A6quUHv5yuRmQCLcBGAs/s1600/brick%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXSwq2TMlgA/WYDXI3Zt3hI/AAAAAAAAMOY/sChIT5yfljQgC2HLYtt6A6quUHv5yuRmQCLcBGAs/s320/brick%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0hNLh1I8Sek/WYDXMW70XgI/AAAAAAAAMOc/QPqLw8sf4sUlZg46kacbHkiGb3xUY-eFQCLcBGAs/s1600/coral%2Bhouse%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0hNLh1I8Sek/WYDXMW70XgI/AAAAAAAAMOc/QPqLw8sf4sUlZg46kacbHkiGb3xUY-eFQCLcBGAs/s320/coral%2Bhouse%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTBFFmAK9ow/WYDXStj9lnI/AAAAAAAAMOg/Evfe8whVQ94Wyp_MqSSa00h0u2kSRj4fQCLcBGAs/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FTBFFmAK9ow/WYDXStj9lnI/AAAAAAAAMOg/Evfe8whVQ94Wyp_MqSSa00h0u2kSRj4fQCLcBGAs/s320/house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jM8rWO6wt84/WYDXat2yvTI/AAAAAAAAMOk/5ES-mc__NKwyNdGwRj-cfW-ePuI6cuFNQCLcBGAs/s1600/nice%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jM8rWO6wt84/WYDXat2yvTI/AAAAAAAAMOk/5ES-mc__NKwyNdGwRj-cfW-ePuI6cuFNQCLcBGAs/s320/nice%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymA5_XlojVY/WYDXf7-xs6I/AAAAAAAAMOo/vQHHplMy3YEpzQWjWxmfFD-5EFU1Nu_hACLcBGAs/s1600/old%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymA5_XlojVY/WYDXf7-xs6I/AAAAAAAAMOo/vQHHplMy3YEpzQWjWxmfFD-5EFU1Nu_hACLcBGAs/s320/old%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oI5J0Ao24vM/WYDXqn5J7RI/AAAAAAAAMOw/5vs4aZb03tw6VSI6JdAZJNEcZb1q2x-JwCLcBGAs/s1600/water%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="968" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oI5J0Ao24vM/WYDXqn5J7RI/AAAAAAAAMOw/5vs4aZb03tw6VSI6JdAZJNEcZb1q2x-JwCLcBGAs/s320/water%2Bhouse.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNlKum6_Dsk/WYDXoAEsjuI/AAAAAAAAMOs/k36iu1w2fskUngGMwclpVEjGp12C4Ww8wCLcBGAs/s1600/sc%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LNlKum6_Dsk/WYDXoAEsjuI/AAAAAAAAMOs/k36iu1w2fskUngGMwclpVEjGp12C4Ww8wCLcBGAs/s320/sc%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The house below is called the John Mark Verdier House (1804). &nbsp;Verdier was a wealthy indigo and sea island cotton planter. On March 18, 1825, The Marquis de Lafayette was welcomed to Beaufort with a 13-gun salute and spoke to the star-struck crowd while standing on this house's upper balcony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghMpLzhxlqM/WYErwkF0QiI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/UmXkHN3tsDwSwtCVDI1LaiYYSgCeYeNHwCLcBGAs/s1600/170px-Lafayette_1825.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ghMpLzhxlqM/WYErwkF0QiI/AAAAAAAAMQ0/UmXkHN3tsDwSwtCVDI1LaiYYSgCeYeNHwCLcBGAs/s1600/170px-Lafayette_1825.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Image from the Internet</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcAKA53E_Gs/WYDcLtxmToI/AAAAAAAAMPM/tB3pCKps5iok9RvwTGbzeaDxUOWp2S-cQCLcBGAs/s1600/verdier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dcAKA53E_Gs/WYDcLtxmToI/AAAAAAAAMPM/tB3pCKps5iok9RvwTGbzeaDxUOWp2S-cQCLcBGAs/s320/verdier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wNCCzw7Ohs/WYDbcHhc3VI/AAAAAAAAMPI/7ueCD92Q8uc94L4v9m2lERuAz2I2p3IDQCEwYBhgL/s1600/lafayette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5wNCCzw7Ohs/WYDbcHhc3VI/AAAAAAAAMPI/7ueCD92Q8uc94L4v9m2lERuAz2I2p3IDQCEwYBhgL/s320/lafayette2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lafayette toured the United States from July 1824 to September 1825. Everywhere he went he was welcomed like a rock star. Lafayette would next travel to Savannah, Georgia and speak from this balcony that was across from the house The Colonel and I stayed in while we visited Savannah in 2011.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDfDegeJsig/WYDdRWqr0CI/AAAAAAAAMPU/ZNPFJrJtFfIIyB8rDHFGjfmXbIDT6OyuwCLcBGAs/s1600/marquis%2Bresize%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDfDegeJsig/WYDdRWqr0CI/AAAAAAAAMPU/ZNPFJrJtFfIIyB8rDHFGjfmXbIDT6OyuwCLcBGAs/s320/marquis%2Bresize%2B1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />While on our walking tour, we saw the grave, statue and house of Robert Smalls.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps0Hb-em7ww/WYDevgu_gYI/AAAAAAAAMPs/Ov1QB6Pw_Cka1v6NhPrCmqIMaUJyiGMxACLcBGAs/s1600/smalls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="900" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps0Hb-em7ww/WYDevgu_gYI/AAAAAAAAMPs/Ov1QB6Pw_Cka1v6NhPrCmqIMaUJyiGMxACLcBGAs/s320/smalls2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-tzmw0OFYs/WYDevBvrrbI/AAAAAAAAMPo/3ZocK9_stSgv4SunKbw2jdSg2BziemepQCEwYBhgL/s1600/smalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-tzmw0OFYs/WYDevBvrrbI/AAAAAAAAMPo/3ZocK9_stSgv4SunKbw2jdSg2BziemepQCEwYBhgL/s320/smalls.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g7blOibpfA/WYDeuMViO1I/AAAAAAAAMPg/_abjg9xWP0MIifsbOTFnjcDyRgVM3EMSwCEwYBhgL/s1600/smalls%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g7blOibpfA/WYDeuMViO1I/AAAAAAAAMPg/_abjg9xWP0MIifsbOTFnjcDyRgVM3EMSwCEwYBhgL/s320/smalls%2B1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtXzwVH1hWA/WYDet5eWH5I/AAAAAAAAMPk/EgrBLLvB_PkTn6OY51nmSp94wU7p29ZbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/smalls%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rtXzwVH1hWA/WYDet5eWH5I/AAAAAAAAMPk/EgrBLLvB_PkTn6OY51nmSp94wU7p29ZbwCEwYBhgL/s320/smalls%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>House of Robert Smalls</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Robert Smalls was born in Beaufort as a slave of Henry McKee in 1839. He worked a many jobs but one job would allow him to escape slavery. Robert was a boat pilot and as a result he was very knowledgeable about Charleston Harbor. He was one of the crew of slaves on the Confederate's gunboat called the <i>CSS Planter.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i>At 3 a.m. on May 13, 1862, Robert and seven other slave crew members were left on the Planter as the white soldiers went ashore for the night as was the custom. Now was the time to execute their long-planned escape to the Union Blockade ships.<br /><br />23-year-old Robert put on Captain Relay's uniform and a straw hat that was similar to the Captain's. He picked up his family and the families of the other crew members. He then guided the boat past the five Confederate forts without incident, as he gave the correct signals at all of the checkpoints. He had been studying Captain Relay and imitated his actions. Robert sailed past Fort Sumter and surrendered the boat to the surprised Union soldiers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8ptn1q3-F4/WYEgZ5rYGwI/AAAAAAAAMQc/SHNlrvH4F6MsQn6XNZ4g7mWNJK5hurjhACLcBGAs/s1600/Robert-Smalls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8ptn1q3-F4/WYEgZ5rYGwI/AAAAAAAAMQc/SHNlrvH4F6MsQn6XNZ4g7mWNJK5hurjhACLcBGAs/s1600/Robert-Smalls-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Image from the Internet</i></div><br />He and the other crew members were awarded prize money in the amount of $1,500 (equivalent to over $35,000 today).<br /><br />Once free, Robert Smalls served with the Union Army and Navy. His actions helped President Lincoln to accept African-American soldiers into the Union Army. After the Civil War, Robert purchased his former master's house when it was sold for taxes by the Union. Legend has it that his former master's widow, Jane Bond McKee was wandering the streets and not lucid. She came back to what she thought was still her home and Robert Smalls took her in and allowed her to move into her former room and live in the house until her death.<br /><br />Robert Smalls hired a teacher for himself and learned to read and write in nine months. With his new skills he later became a business man, a Republican, a State Representative, a State Senator, and a U.S. Representative. WOW! Robert Smalls died in 1915<br /><br />The museum I volunteer for featured the story of Robert Smalls during our exhibit on Black Espionage during the Civil War. I was intrigued by his story and to see his grave and the house he lived in was stirring.<br /><b><br /></b><i><b>"My race needs no special defense for the past history of them in this country proves them to be the equal of any people anywhere all they need is an equal chance in the battle of life."</b></i><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>-Robert Smalls' statement to the South Carolina legislature, 1895</b></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our tour guide showed us a few more interesting stops along our tour's route.<br /><br />An intricate and whimsical gate...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF4xs_YQPBE/WYEslq494wI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/S1bTcjEQOEEz9S3DiXhCgo0_tzbWzSVTACLcBGAs/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UF4xs_YQPBE/WYEslq494wI/AAAAAAAAMQ8/S1bTcjEQOEEz9S3DiXhCgo0_tzbWzSVTACLcBGAs/s320/gate.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g07ZrTljRO0/WYEslUoA37I/AAAAAAAAMQ4/FqXchdOzrCsdE4RjepADvD5_uJTC-5PAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/gate%2Bcu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="900" height="301" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g07ZrTljRO0/WYEslUoA37I/AAAAAAAAMQ4/FqXchdOzrCsdE4RjepADvD5_uJTC-5PAwCEwYBhgL/s320/gate%2Bcu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />The hanging tree...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QHJw0uv0cY/WYEte0bmTVI/AAAAAAAAMRA/SlpweloI9_QV54_qRSWwPtB-Uap2yta4wCLcBGAs/s1600/hanging%2Btree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QHJw0uv0cY/WYEte0bmTVI/AAAAAAAAMRA/SlpweloI9_QV54_qRSWwPtB-Uap2yta4wCLcBGAs/s320/hanging%2Btree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />And a building with a small section of &nbsp;exposed Colonial Tabby (a type of concrete made by burning oyster shells to create lime, then mixing it with water, sand, ash and broken oyster shells). No, I did not touch it...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFTox9YhuVE/WYEt-ngB8sI/AAAAAAAAMRE/Nv4VpSsU3mgYU1CKFdeMM5VFB3EqaXVvACLcBGAs/s1600/tabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="900" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFTox9YhuVE/WYEt-ngB8sI/AAAAAAAAMRE/Nv4VpSsU3mgYU1CKFdeMM5VFB3EqaXVvACLcBGAs/s320/tabby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAUgTFQ_AJU/WYEt-9u6gaI/AAAAAAAAMRI/D9SCOhitNUQi0jLhddukDOooTkSgfbCFgCLcBGAs/s1600/tabby%2Bcu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="900" height="306" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yAUgTFQ_AJU/WYEt-9u6gaI/AAAAAAAAMRI/D9SCOhitNUQi0jLhddukDOooTkSgfbCFgCLcBGAs/s320/tabby%2Bcu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />All that walking made us hungry, so we parted ways with Victoria and had lunch at Hemingway's. I had<i> the best</i> Muffuletta sandwich ever there. We asked why the restaurant was called Hemingway's, knowing that said writer had never visited Beaufort and the waitress said the owner thinks that if he had visited this restaurant would be the kind of place he would frequent. The Colonel and I agreed. Hemingway's was a small, dark, basement restaurant with a small bar.<br /><br />It was time to leave Beaufort behind us and make our way to Charleston. As soon as we got on the open road a terrible thunderstorm hit and stayed with us for the entire 1 1/2 hours it took to get to Charleston.Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-90217670313454330202017-07-26T03:30:00.000-04:002017-07-26T03:30:12.598-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIBXClvi9t8/WVAPXGGoDXI/AAAAAAAAMLY/XfW3aFt5fAA014011dy5w_dwShR72gmCACLcBGAs/s1600/cem%2Bpalms%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tIBXClvi9t8/WVAPXGGoDXI/AAAAAAAAMLY/XfW3aFt5fAA014011dy5w_dwShR72gmCACLcBGAs/s320/cem%2Bpalms%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-44304939837865422372017-07-17T18:25:00.000-04:002017-07-17T18:25:02.809-04:00Pâté of the South: Pimento Cheese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fPzeEvj5-Q/WW0a5E_txBI/AAAAAAAAML4/i6hwDzPIG8cODcwhcJqmeG7tin21J0m5wCLcBGAs/s1600/open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="900" height="307" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fPzeEvj5-Q/WW0a5E_txBI/AAAAAAAAML4/i6hwDzPIG8cODcwhcJqmeG7tin21J0m5wCLcBGAs/s320/open.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Colonel and I have just returned from a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina. I will tell you about it in upcoming posts once I go through my over 1,600 photos and get my thoughts together.<br /><br />Remember this?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFMpcosOD_U/WW0cly2GllI/AAAAAAAAMME/ne8xW6Md2DIoXMdsCzRH9ggtzHq8UsLmACLcBGAs/s1600/cheese%2Bspread.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFMpcosOD_U/WW0cly2GllI/AAAAAAAAMME/ne8xW6Md2DIoXMdsCzRH9ggtzHq8UsLmACLcBGAs/s320/cheese%2Bspread.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I was a child I could not abide the stuff. I thought it tasted terrible. I remember my mother (and grandmother) having it in the house. There always seemed to be a jar of it in the refrigerator. In my estimation, the only redeeming quality it had was the jar it came in. My mother would keep and use the jars as juice glasses. The jar was the perfect size for that (and it was a bit stylish with its diamond-like pattern in the glass...see base of jar above).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, when The Colonel and I were in Charleston, one of the places we stayed had cheese and wine each afternoon in its courtyard. There would be red and white wines available, a handful of different cheeses, crackers, olives, lemonade, ice cold water and chocolate chip cookies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the cheeses was homemade pimento cheese. I was a bit wary about trying it when I learned it was pimento cheese. It looked delicious as it was nestled in a chilled glass bowl. What the heck...when in the South do as Southerns do. I took a small sampling of the pimento cheese and spread it over a fancy cracker. To say a shaft of Heavenly light shone down upon me once I tasted the cheese would be a slight exaggeration...Now this was what pimento cheese was supposed to taste like! &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Charleston is a great place to enjoy delicious foods. The Colonel and I ate lunch one day at <a href="http://hominygrill.com/">Hominy Grill</a>. I had the Shrimp and Grits and The Colonel had the Fried Green Tomato BLT. The Colonel bought the restaurant's cookbook (signed by the chef).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WIsS52q63E/WW0jdV8PO0I/AAAAAAAAMMM/Fdmea1BapVsjDQErq0KTUM4XMo4ZTtGfACLcBGAs/s1600/cook%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_WIsS52q63E/WW0jdV8PO0I/AAAAAAAAMMM/Fdmea1BapVsjDQErq0KTUM4XMo4ZTtGfACLcBGAs/s320/cook%2Bbook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Inside the cookbook is a recipe for Pimento Cheese. The Colonel and I made some today to take to a meeting we have this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRk5kIJ6Bw/WW0zEsrGdSI/AAAAAAAAMMc/I6Q2H11pVzgbNveXcHwha2Ff8zYW6czeACLcBGAs/s1600/ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="900" height="280" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MRk5kIJ6Bw/WW0zEsrGdSI/AAAAAAAAMMc/I6Q2H11pVzgbNveXcHwha2Ff8zYW6czeACLcBGAs/s320/ingredients.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The recipe calls for grated cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, jarred pimentos, mayonnaise, bourbon, ancho chili powder, cumin and black pepper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Colonel rinsed the pimento pepper and readied it for dicing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owfcr-jkw3A/WW00I4JJeYI/AAAAAAAAMMg/53OZouZX_bkZIKsyRcyTEYbwZ5NtoXSCACLcBGAs/s1600/pimento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="900" height="277" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owfcr-jkw3A/WW00I4JJeYI/AAAAAAAAMMg/53OZouZX_bkZIKsyRcyTEYbwZ5NtoXSCACLcBGAs/s320/pimento.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As he was doing that I mixed together the mayonnaise, bourbon and spices.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTLwU-9k31o/WW002in-gVI/AAAAAAAAMMk/f57ZIh8hz-Qg23t3rXOvSXRPcGUDS2YYACLcBGAs/s1600/mayo%2Bplus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oTLwU-9k31o/WW002in-gVI/AAAAAAAAMMk/f57ZIh8hz-Qg23t3rXOvSXRPcGUDS2YYACLcBGAs/s320/mayo%2Bplus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8TxaB2J3bM/WW004b-3pKI/AAAAAAAAMMo/S2sZTOlL_PURCb7u7mnjv2BaCE3APNjkgCLcBGAs/s1600/mayo%2Bmix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a8TxaB2J3bM/WW004b-3pKI/AAAAAAAAMMo/S2sZTOlL_PURCb7u7mnjv2BaCE3APNjkgCLcBGAs/s320/mayo%2Bmix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the diced pimento.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohVsBcC6PDs/WW01FkyOwRI/AAAAAAAAMMs/Yv8bMYqjDMIBoryB9dRyLplMaWFFULJrQCLcBGAs/s1600/chopped%2Bpimento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohVsBcC6PDs/WW01FkyOwRI/AAAAAAAAMMs/Yv8bMYqjDMIBoryB9dRyLplMaWFFULJrQCLcBGAs/s320/chopped%2Bpimento.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Time to add in the cheeses. First the Parmesan then the cheddar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNkxoa__nOk/WW01lPQcIKI/AAAAAAAAMMw/9NGSVofy6occnaXJ5vqgGhSVMPXtLElMgCLcBGAs/s1600/parmesan%2Bcheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNkxoa__nOk/WW01lPQcIKI/AAAAAAAAMMw/9NGSVofy6occnaXJ5vqgGhSVMPXtLElMgCLcBGAs/s320/parmesan%2Bcheese.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EKviCRx3Io/WW01vK8qN5I/AAAAAAAAMM0/OM-2uBvd_KAZN0AvwMCO2dIT8RZubtzWQCLcBGAs/s1600/cheddar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EKviCRx3Io/WW01vK8qN5I/AAAAAAAAMM0/OM-2uBvd_KAZN0AvwMCO2dIT8RZubtzWQCLcBGAs/s320/cheddar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stirred and stirred until everything was thoroughly combined.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAzbrmBLIys/WW02PQrq6UI/AAAAAAAAMM4/0yN7U-hggDwZKOLfPhe7gDWC3gIEArZtACLcBGAs/s1600/all%2Bdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAzbrmBLIys/WW02PQrq6UI/AAAAAAAAMM4/0yN7U-hggDwZKOLfPhe7gDWC3gIEArZtACLcBGAs/s320/all%2Bdone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the taste test...crackers please...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3xGwFobLFQ/WW02b1y9HgI/AAAAAAAAMM8/NFS74zE-B74bpdIcU28VwKkrdv19CyLRQCLcBGAs/s1600/taste%2Btest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3xGwFobLFQ/WW02b1y9HgI/AAAAAAAAMM8/NFS74zE-B74bpdIcU28VwKkrdv19CyLRQCLcBGAs/s320/taste%2Btest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Delicious! Only one thing wrong with this pimento cheese...no new juice glasses.</div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-83571089018442617082017-07-12T03:30:00.000-04:002017-07-12T03:30:30.539-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uwan-UUEtNU/WVAOyfg8YDI/AAAAAAAAMLQ/x50CJsQd078sHFcnzYUaY63OWhRPjuUGQCLcBGAs/s1600/hh%2Bcat%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uwan-UUEtNU/WVAOyfg8YDI/AAAAAAAAMLQ/x50CJsQd078sHFcnzYUaY63OWhRPjuUGQCLcBGAs/s320/hh%2Bcat%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-88753913909301764032017-06-28T03:30:00.000-04:002017-06-28T03:30:06.362-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiP0EtuCT3Y/WVAOKoaYToI/AAAAAAAAMLE/yHStQaGz14QB-z3GKzRdSufhOLyPHnApwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Lomished%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiP0EtuCT3Y/WVAOKoaYToI/AAAAAAAAMLE/yHStQaGz14QB-z3GKzRdSufhOLyPHnApwCEwYBhgL/s320/Lomished%2Bpcsd%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-48380042821972521592017-06-25T14:05:00.003-04:002017-06-25T14:05:43.040-04:00Butterflies Flutter By<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39S_Wkl05K0/WU7Cqe_DfYI/AAAAAAAAMF4/tGAL10GiTu4Hhxu05uqWG9FCsdeWaAdwQCLcBGAs/s1600/open%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="534" height="290" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39S_Wkl05K0/WU7Cqe_DfYI/AAAAAAAAMF4/tGAL10GiTu4Hhxu05uqWG9FCsdeWaAdwQCLcBGAs/s320/open%2Bshot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During our recent trip to Key West to inter and spread the ashes of my Darling-Sister-In-Law (June 1- June 7), The Colonel, Yam, Spud and I visited <a href="https://www.keywestbutterfly.com/">The Key West Butterfly &amp; Nature Conservatory</a>.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would highly recommend a visit there if you ever find yourself in Key West. When you enter the establishment you are immediately in a large room that houses the gift shop. To your left you will find an employee at a counter. Once you purchase your ticket, they will stamp your hand (which allows you to enter the butterfly room as often as you want that day. We went through twice) and point you to the double doors that will lead you to a room that has butterfly and moth displays and information. When you have learned all you wished about butterflies and moths there is another set of double doors for you to enter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This second set of doors takes you into a small antechamber with another set of double doors opposite those you just came through. Before you open the second set of doors, make sure the ones behind you are closed (there is a sign that will remind you of this). Now you can open the second set of doors, but as you do, make sure you watch that no butterfly or moth enters the antechamber that you are exiting.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You will find yourself in a beautiful, jungle-like room that is filled with butterflies, moths, birds (I saw one turtle) and it is all within a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was snapping away like "Rain Man". Here are a few of my photographs. We liked watching the butterflies eat the fruit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXB3kazr-i4/WU_vpqQbA1I/AAAAAAAAMIs/qaKm8MAMB0Y-8WOIUPrLEU6i3rw9_fXMQCLcBGAs/s1600/atlas%2Bmoth%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXB3kazr-i4/WU_vpqQbA1I/AAAAAAAAMIs/qaKm8MAMB0Y-8WOIUPrLEU6i3rw9_fXMQCLcBGAs/s320/atlas%2Bmoth%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkZ0tiBDEsA/WU_vp5k5QBI/AAAAAAAAMIw/1KFSFS61qVcVrCXSxKsWPLn6vnPg3_m9ACLcBGAs/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkZ0tiBDEsA/WU_vp5k5QBI/AAAAAAAAMIw/1KFSFS61qVcVrCXSxKsWPLn6vnPg3_m9ACLcBGAs/s320/butterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: left;"><br /></div>Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-629027214254582676.post-91757341652854047412017-06-14T05:00:00.000-04:002017-06-14T05:00:23.742-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfFCFxmqE-c/WT_4yQgmQuI/AAAAAAAAMFk/k9awjrKOyJw8ZnV7KfVyL-PTwovAPs11QCLcB/s1600/lifesaver%2Bplant%2Brszd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfFCFxmqE-c/WT_4yQgmQuI/AAAAAAAAMFk/k9awjrKOyJw8ZnV7KfVyL-PTwovAPs11QCLcB/s320/lifesaver%2Bplant%2Brszd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08261491077651579389noreply@blogger.com0